The man in our key text was in the same unpleasant situation for thirty-eight long years. He believed that one day someone would be kind enough to help get him into the healing waters at the right time. However, when Jesus came by and asked if he would like to be healed, he failed to see that the Doctor of doctors had come to his help. His trust was not in God but in man.

Sin deceives, therefore it is needful to remind ourselves daily about the warnings in God's Word and remain watchful. We cannot afford to be careless with our Christian life because many in the past and in contemporary times have been and are still being deceived out of the narrow way. Be not deceived: the wages of sin is death and whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap. 

When God saved Israel from Egyptian bondage and captivity, He hedged them in, providing a cover of protection. But every time they rejected God and worshipped strange gods, the hedge was broken and their enemies pursued and overpowered them. However, each time they repented and returned unto the Lord, He delivered them. That was a dangerous pattern which the believers should not imitate. You should never take the grace of God for granted.