What Now Peter?

What Now Peter?
Acts 3:17-20
“And now brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins ma be blotted out, when times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which was preached unto you.”
Peter is replying to a situation after God had healed a lame man at Peter’s word. Remember Peter told the lame man silver and gold have I none but what I have I give unto you. In the name of Jesus Christ rise up and walk. The people ran to Peter and John and were amazed at what they had just seen. Peter saw a great opportunity to preach unto them Jesus. Peter knew the power of God and God spoke through him to these people. Look at the question Peter ask. Why marvel ye at this? You think we did this through our own power. No the power of God changed this man now this man can walk. He then goes on to show how these people had denied Jesus before Pilate. How they had wanted him to be put to death. How they wanted a murderer instead of the Prince of Peace. He cuts them down but then he builds them up. He shows that through ignorance and disbelief following the gods of the world they were as lame as this man. He then shows them that faith in God could change a cripple to a sound human being. He then preached unto them Jesus. These entire things were foretold by the prophets. What you see is nothing more but the power of God. You can have the same thing if you will but repent of your sin and call on His name. Verse 19 “Repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”
Here is the sequence Peter gives us: repentance, a turn toward God, sin is forgiven and forgotten (wiped out) -- then a time of "refreshing" occurs. This same pattern was repeated every forty years or so throughout Israel's history. For example, the people turned away from God (idol worship, etc.); they then were oppressed and suffered at the hands of an enemy; they cried out and turned towards God and away from sin; God forgave them and raised up a leader; they were victorious over their oppressor; following the victory came the blessing (peace and prosperity) or the "refreshing" -- the living within God's will and intention for their lives. Unfortunately, about one generation later they were back to their evil ways.

How much like this are we? We are blessed, then we begin to ignore God and get caught up in the world -- things really start to go wrong, then we cry out to God -- repent -- and turn back to God. We are One Nation under God, founded on godly principles, now we turn our backs on all that. Guess what happens? Let’s see crime violence economic disaster all kinds of perversion and then we wonder why? Israel had the same problem. God has a solution If my people which are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.