THEY WILL NOT MEET YOU WHERE THEY LEFT YOU
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: Acts 3:1-10
Supporting Texts: Psalm 40:1–3, Isaiah 43:18–19, Job 14:7–9, John 5:1–9, Zechariah 4:6–7
INTRODUCTION:
There are moments in life when people mark you by your condition, your limitations, or your failures. Like the lame man at the beautiful gate, some people have grown used to seeing you in the same situation daily—helpless, begging, stuck, and unable to move forward. They may even begin to believe that this is where you belong, that nothing about your life will ever change.
But one encounter with the power of God can change everything. The story of the lame man reminds us that when heaven intervenes, your identity and your situation can change in a moment. The same people who saw you carried to a place of shame will return and find you standing strong, walking in joy, and praising God. They will not meet you where they left you.
This message is a prophetic assurance that your life is about to take a divine turn. The God who lifted the lame man is still at work today. Your condition is not your conclusion. That delay is not your destiny. That disappointment is not your final story. Get ready—because God is moving you from being carried to becoming a carrier of His glory.
1. GOD'S TIMING IS ALWAYS PERFECT
a) He Knows When to Show Up
Though the lame man had been there for years, his day of visitation came at God's appointed time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). What seemed like delay was actually divine setup.
b) He Chooses Ordinary Days for Extraordinary Miracles
Peter and John were simply going to pray, but God orchestrated that ordinary day for an extraordinary breakthrough (Acts 3:1).
c) He Turns Stagnation Into Celebration
The man who once sat and begged was soon walking and leaping. God specialises in turning long-term situations around (Psalm 126:1).
d) He Moves When We Least Expect
No sign suggested that that day would be different, but God moved suddenly. He is the God of divine surprises (Isaiah 48:3).
Biblical Example: The man at the Pool of Bethesda waited 38 years, but one encounter with Jesus changed his entire life (John 5:1–9).
2. GOD REWRITES OUR STORY BEYOND HUMAN EXPECTATION
a) He Changes Our Identity
People called him “the lame man,” but God called him healed and whole (Isaiah 62:2). Divine encounters change earthly labels.
b) He Lifts Us from the Lowest Point
From the dust of defeat and shame, God lifts His people to glory and honour (1 Samuel 2:8).
c) He Restores What Was Lost or Never Had
The man was lame from birth. God didn’t just restore him—He gave him what he never had: the ability to walk (Joel 2:25).
d) He Brings Public Miracles Out of Private Pain
The man’s healing was visible to all. God has a way of turning secret tears into public testimonies (Psalm 30:5).
Biblical Example: Joseph, sold as a slave and forgotten, later ruled Egypt. His story was rewritten by God (Genesis 41:39–44).
3. YOUR TRANSFORMATION WILL AMAZE THOSE WHO LEFT YOU
a) God Will Publicly Announce Your Lifting
The people saw the man walking and praising. They were amazed because they had given up on him (Acts 3:9–10).
b) Those Who Saw You in Pain Will Witness Your Praise
God does not hide His blessings. He lets your testimony speak louder than your trials (Psalm 23:5).
c) Your Miracle Will Confuse the Mockers
The same crowd who pitied him were now astonished. God will silence every voice of mockery with undeniable change (Isaiah 61:7).
d) The Place of Shame Becomes the Platform of Glory
The gate where he begged became the platform where he leapt and praised (Zechariah 4:7).
Biblical Example: Hannah was mocked for being barren, but she returned with Samuel and silenced her mockers (1 Samuel 1:6–20).
CONCLUSION:
God is about to change your story. You will not remain where they left you. Those who saw you in your weakness, your limitation, or your failure will be surprised at what God has done. Like the lame man at the beautiful gate, your condition will not outlive your covenant with God. Your weeping may have endured for a night, but joy is coming with the morning.
The same people who used to pity you will praise God on your behalf. Those who used to carry you will now watch you carry grace and glory. Get ready to leap into your destiny, because they will not meet you where they left you!
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, rewrite every negative story in my life and lift me from stagnation.
2. Father, let those who saw me weep begin to see me rejoice.
3. O God of restoration, restore every ability, opportunity, and honour I have lost.
4. I reject every label and identity the world has placed on me—name me anew, O Lord.
5. Let my life become a public testimony that will glorify You.
