Beyond Expectations

For Women by Women

By Trish Williams

August 28, 2026

Acts 3:4-5 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

The lame man got up that morning expecting it to be a normal day of begging alms at the Temple gate. His focus was on what he thought was his greatest need – daily provisions.

In verse three, we know that he was aware of the presence of Peter and John and even asked alms of them. Soon, his expectation was greatly exceeded and to an extent unimaginable to him.  But it was only after he responded to Peter’s words of “Look on us.”  

In the wilderness, all the people were aware of the brass serpent set upon a pole. But it was only those who looked upon it that received the healing promised by God.  Numbers 21:8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.  

As believers, we may be aware of the presence of God, but our focus also needs to be looking for what God is doing for us.  It is by looking that we, like the lame man, will see the unexpected and exceeding great provisions of God. For He best knows what our needs are.

Acts 3:8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

No longer was the lame man confined to sit outside the Temple gate. He entered the Temple with Peter and John walking and leaping upon feet which had never stood. What he received was beyond his expectation and he gave praise to the One to Whom praise was due – God Almighty!

Reflection—What might we be missing because we are not looking?