King Ahab with the help of his wife Jezebel had killed Naboth that he may take possession of Naboth's vineyard. Because of this evil the Lord sent Prophet Elijah to Ahab, to pronounce judgment against his house. On hearing the message of the Lord as declared by the man of God, Ahab responded with humility which attracted the mercy of God. The penalty of Ahab's sin was delayed because of his humility. 

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.

God-given vision is a mental picture painted by the Lord to clarify the truth for man to understand. By the vision given to Peter, the barrier that hindered the preaching of the gospel to the Gentile world was broken. Vision gives boldness, drives away doubts and strengthens your belief. Much success was achieved by the early Church in its evangelistic outreach through visions. By vision, Ananias was emboldened to minister to Saul of Tarsus.