His Way Is Better

One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. — John 5:5-9

A few days back, in a previous devotional, I referenced Asclepius. He was believed to be the ancient Greek god of healing. These pools were places where cultic followers of Asclepius gathered because they believed that when the water was naturally stirred, the first person into the pool would be healed by him. But Jesus is going to play a trump card on Asclepius and all the other invalids who were sitting around waiting for his next miracle. He was going to heal this man without the need to get in the water.

This is one of those lessons that are hard learned for us regardless of age and circumstance. I am at fault here too. Too many times, I trust in my ability, ingenuity, and experience rather than trust in God. This is because I have become overly confident in my method and strategy. After all, I have seen it done that way, and it has worked for others, or I have done it that way and worked for me before. But just because it worked that way in the past does not mean that Jesus wants it done that way this time. And that's what this lame man discovers. God had a different way for him.

So the next time you get a little overconfident in how something needs to get done. Just remember this lame man. He got up and walked without dipping even a toe in the pool. Then remember, Jesus might want to do something different with you that won't bring attention to you at all but draw all attention to him.

ASK THIS: Is there something you might be a little overconfident about?

DO THIS: Submit that thing to Jesus and do it his way.

PRAY THIS: Jesus, I want to do your way.

PLAY THIS: Made A Way.