I’ve often thought about the lame men that were healed in the Bible, the two that were instructed to “Rise up and walk”.

“Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” John 5:8

“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Acts 3:6

If we read further in Acts, we see that the second lame man was so excited he was found praising God for what he had done in his life. “And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God” Acts 3:7-9

I can’t help but wonder just how long he continued to walk, leaping and praising God for what He had done for him. He had been lame, unable to walk for so long. Just how long did the excitement of being able to do what he had always longed to do keep him moving before he grew tired and sat down? How long did he continue to praise God ? All the days of his life? Or was there a point when he grew weary with it all and lost the fire of remembrance ?

This thought then turned my mind inward as I thought about the healing power of Jesus in different areas of my life. The very fact that Jesus saved my soul. Do I still carry the fire of remembrance? Do I continue to praise Him for what He has done in my life? Do I still answer the call to “Rise and Walk” or do I sit down from time-to-time?

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

And then also, if we do remain steadfast and we do continue to “Rise and Walk”, do we continue in the same love for Him that we once had? Or have we lost that driving force that sent us forth to do the work He instilled within our heart to do? Has our walk become more of a formality than a sincere desire to do the work we once loved to do?

“I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” Revelation 2:2-4

They lost their fire of remembrance. They lost their first love, their zeal of compassion from a heart of love for Jesus and what He had done in their lives. My prayer is that I will remember my first love for Jesus, for all that He has done for me; that I will continue steadfast, answering the call to “Rise and Walk”.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

The walk may not be easy, our labor may seem to be in vain from time to time, but God had promised that there is a purpose for all that He has called us to do. Even when we do not see results, even when we grow weary, the Lord is doing His work through our efforts. We need only continue to “Rise and Walk”.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

“Rise and Walk” . . . The Journey isn’t over yet !!!