Want to have true joy?
A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
(Proverbs 17:22)
What is true joy?
Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. (Acts 3:2–3)
We are indeed all living in a difficult world. Some people experienced broken relationships, while others suffered from sickness, just like the man who was lame from birth mentioned above. The Bible tells us that because of sin, we are all under God’s wrath because we are unable to walk upright.
We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. (Psalm 90:7–8)
Though in fear and brokenness, we tried our best to improve our lives. But no matter how hard we try, we are still stuck in this broken world; everything we do will be either in vain or harming one another. Even though we got healed, we are still haunted by fear. Fear of being sick again, being deserted again. We constantly look for happiness, but nothing can last long.
Burdens are lifted
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. (Acts 3:6–8)
In Jewish tradition, lame persons are considered unclean and not allowed to go inside the temple. Outcast and lamed beggars stayed near the temple because they could have more opportunities to receive alms. However, when Peter and John walked by this beggar, they had no money to give.
Money was not what this man needed most. He needed salvation for his soul as well as the healing of his body, but money could provide neither. This man could have turned his face away from Peter and John, for they made clear that they had no money. However, the beggar received Peter’s “alternative offer” and put his faith in the name of Jesus. He repented by showing his faith to stand up on his feet and found out that he was completely healed. He was so happy and excited that he jumped up and down like a child, praising God.
This is what salvation brings–true joy. This man was born lame. All of us are also born lame in walking upright before God. In our sins, we all suffer in spiritual lameness. This man was also poor, and we, as sinners, are too spiritually bankrupt before God, unable to pay the debt of sins that we owe Him.
True joy can never be found in wealth, physical strength, or social status. This lame beggar is now happily leaping to God because his burdens are lifted. He is now the child of God, not an outcast unclean person, but able to worship God in the temple.
Click here to learn how you can also have this joy that nothing can take away.