Acts 9:32-35 :

It happened, as Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed. Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” Immediately he arose. All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t waste his miraculous signs does He?

This poor man had been disabled for eight years and God, by the Holy Spirit healed him through Peter. Then two whole towns turned to the Lord. We see two things in this. First, the Holy Spirit’s miracles are useful. They aren’t just “magic tricks.” They do things that build up the Church.

The second thing is that this man spent eight years in his troubles. He may have wondered why God would want him to be like this. Once again, God used trouble to bring entire towns to Himself. This man’s pain turned into joy for both him and many others. This man may have not sinned at all to be like he was. It isn’t out of character for God to use troubles to bring about a great victory.

May God help us all when we are in our troubles to trust in God for His great victory. May He give us the ability to expect it in faith so that we can endure our troubles in peace and joy.