Psalm 119:65-72; Acts 3:12-

Psalm 119:65-72
This passage gives us instruction on how to learn from affliction or suffering, vv. 67, 71. The psalmist starts this section by acknowledging that the Lord has done many good things for him. One of these good things is suffering. I will not say that God CAUSES suffering because I don't know about that, but I will say He USES it for our good. "My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees." v. 71 Suffering also teaches us about what is really important in life. "Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver." v. 72. Remember that afflictions can bring out the best in us, or they can bring out the worst!

"The school of suffering never graduates any students, so ask God to teach you the lessons He wants you to learn." Warren Wiersbe

Acts 3:12-26
Today we look at Peter's sermon when the crowd of Jewish people had gathered after the miracle of healing the lame man. The first thing I notice is that Peter is quick to give all the credit to God for this miracle, "For it is the God of Abraham,Isaac, and Jacob--the God of all our ancestors--who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this." v. 13  This attitude is very different from many modern "healers" who love to call attention to themselves.

Peter then goes on to tell them that the miracle was done by the very Jesus whom they had rejected and killed. "You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!" v. 15 Then he goes on to emphasize that it was faith in Jesus' name that healed the man. v. 16.

Peter acknowledged that the people's actions were done in ignorance, but he tells them that all of the events fulfilled what had been prophesied about the Messiah. Then he called on them to "...repent of  your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away." v. 19  Then someday Jesus will come again as God has promised. vv. 20-23 He concludes with the purpose for which Jesus came (to Israel and to us as well) "to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways." God has blessed Israel as a people, but just like anyone else, they must trust Jesus individually.