Times of Refreshing
After being on my feet for many hours, I find myself wearing down. I can try drinking coffee or stretching, but what I desire more than anything else is to sit down and put my feet up. To take the weight that is burdening my knees and feet and enjoy the sweet relief. Many of you know that feeling of refreshing. In our Bible study, we were looking at the book of Acts chapter 3. Peter and John are speaking to a Jewish crowd in the temple that were likely among those that cried out, “Crucify Him!” Peter heals a cripple in the name of Jesus. Then he goes on, in no uncertain terms, to say they are guilty of killing the Holy and Righteous One of Israel. I was thinking that the people felt guilty, but someone else said they probably felt terrified. I have to agree with that sentiment. They have just been accused of being responsible for the death of the Messiah that they had long awaited for. Then a man is healed in this same name. Without taking the blame away from them, Peter goes on to say that this even was prophesied and that it was God’s will that Jesus would die for the sin of the world. What are they to do? Repent! Acts 3:19, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord”. As Peter kept charging them with crime after crime against God, he lets them know there is hope. If you repent... “to feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin.” Peter didn’t hold back any punches, but he didn’t hold back any hope either. If they repented of their part of Christ’s death, if by faith they desired to turn from that sin to Him, then there was forgiveness. Where this forgiveness takes place, it makes it clear that there will be times of refreshing. It is so much more than a burden relieved by sitting down and putting your feet up. It is not making the burden easier to handle, but the burden is completely removed. The section in Acts closes in a strong warning. If we don’t believe on the Lord, Jesus Christ, we will be condemned. This is also true today. We must submit to God’s word, repent of our failures and wickedness, and then experience the times of refreshing that come. Father, thank You for the sweet refreshing that comes from both our walk with You and how we interact with others. Amen