April 17, 2008 - Acts 5:16

“Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.” Acts 5:16.
God was doing incredible things through Peter and the other followers of Jesus. There was a renewed seriousness in what was happening, and people were counting the cost of what it meant to follow Jesus. As a result, many new followers were joining the community, and crowds started gathering around to see the excitement. Word was starting to spread that the sick were being healed and that people were being set free from evil spirits. It was even thought that if a sick person could just get into Peter’s shadow, they would be healed or set free. Those days must have been quite exciting!
Peter had seen people healed by touching Jesus and He hadn’t even known who it was who touched him. And now, people were getting healed and delivered by coming under Peter’s shadow. This is the kind of thing that can go straight to someone’s head! If that were to happen to me, I cannot imagine how prideful I might get. Or at least, I would struggle on a regular basis with pride issues, saying something like this: “Aren’t I something!! See how God is using me to heal these people. I’m even doing it in ways that Jesus didn’t even do!” Pride can certainly sneak its way in. Yet, Peter seemed to keep all of that in proper check. Pride and success do not seem to be an issue, and Peter focused on doing God’s bidding and not just making himself look good.
Questions to consider: How do you handle success? Is it all about you, or God, or maybe a mixture of the two? What would need to happen in your life that would enable the Holy Spirit to use you in ways similar to how He used Peter? Would it be possible to be used in that way?
Prayer: Father, when success comes my way, help me to keep my focus on You. In my journey here on earth, help me to have more of Your perspective and not be seduced by pride and the successes that this life can bring. Amen.