Acts 9:33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately.
I heard Derek Prince say, “The voice of Christ does not flatter the flesh; it calls the soul out of death.” Acts 9:34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. What an interesting instruction Peter gave Aeneas to change his way of living once the miracle took place. Peter basically said, “Now that you are no longer bedridden, you have a life in Christ to give testimony of. From now on, make your bed because that bed will no longer be the identity of your existence. That part of your life is over now that you can walk. Therefore, Aeneas, change the thought pattern of your mind and let Jesus be the place of your rest.”
One of the transitional tasks that are given to people who are going through a change of direction in life for the better is that the first thing they are to do when they wake up is to make their bed. According to those who lead in the army and boot camps of sorts, making their bed first thing gives them an instant sense of accomplishment, helps create a productive tone for the rest of the day, and helps them see that their environment can be managed, plus keeps their living space uncluttered.
The moment we accept Christ as our Lord and saviour, we find ourselves in a place where we are learning how to live again. Through the grace of God, we start our day by making our bed, so to speak, by taking time to minister to the Lord through prayer, worship, and devotional offerings of the heart. Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
After the resurrection and up to the day of Pentecost, the Lord called the souls of men out of death, and gave mankind a prayer language that would bring God’s presence right into their everyday lives. From the marketplace, field, and city, to the backyards of our homes, anyone could pray and call out to God as their hearts were led. In essence, we were learning to set our lives in a righteous and graceful order. How you spent your days before receiving Christ as Lord would no longer control your heart. Once Jesus heals a particular part of your life, you will need to make your new bed to maintain the mindset God’s miracle has brought to your body and life.
Back in 2014, when I had suffered a stroke because of my poor life choices and habits, I had to face a moment of truth and reality that was blaringly obvious. As I stood before God, an obese slob and a physically slothful excuse-maker, I needed to make a covenant with God that would bring life and health to my body and a resolve of commitment of heart and mind to my God. I had to learn how to make my bed and live. I needed to take my authority in Christ seriously. Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. Those first two years of learning how to make my bed properly were the toughest, hardest, and most strenuous life changes I had ever made.
Step by step, for two years while walking with the Lord, eventually ninety-two pounds of visceral fat rolled away like the stone that covered the tomb where Jesus was placed after the crucifixion. The Lord helped me keep my side of the covenant and rewarded me with resurection life that took place right under my feet as I obeyed. To a degree, the Lord had said to me the same words that Peter had said to Aeneas, “Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” We have been given so much by God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit for a full and righteous life. The Lord’s heart towards us is that we walk in the fullness of the Godhead so that we can live a real and full life. 3John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou may prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers. May our souls prosper in Christ to the fullness of His mercies.
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