"Jump"

Jumped up on the fence,

And had to be quick,

When that crazy heifer,

Tried to give me a kick.

Jumped up on my pony,

And hit a strong lope,

When one jumped the catch pen,

And Dad sent me to rope.

Jumped on the chance,

At the big rodeo,

To be in the team roping,

Wouldn’t miss it, you know.

All my life I’ve been jumping,

For this or for that,

But my biggest jump,

Came after a chat,

With the Good Lord who loved me,

Forgave all my sin,

Healed me and saved me,

And from now till then,

I jump ‘cause I’m joyful,

And praising His name,

And if you come with me,

You’ll sure do the same.

“With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.” (Acts 3:8, NAS)

One of the first great miracles of the early church happened when Peter and John were going to the temple to pray. A man who had been crippled since birth sat every day at the gate of the temple begging for money. He asked Peter and John for help, but they explained that though they had no silver or gold they would be more than happy to give him what they had. With that Peter said, “In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene- walk!” Peter grabbled him by the hand and lifted him up and an amazing thing happened. That man was healed! He went into the temple with Peter and Joh, walking and leaping and praising God. We need more, not less of this kind of exuberant praise. Jumping for joy is quite appropriate if you’ve been healed!

Lord, help us celebrate Your miracles, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Mark Maggiori, used by permission. Thanks, Mark, and God bless you.