Tag: Lord

Read through the Bible in 2 years: Proverbs 9, John 9

Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

– John 9:3 ESV

God always has a plan and purpose in pain. Sometimes that plan is for discipline and chastisement, but sometimes God has other purposes. We have to be careful not to be so self-absorbed that we think our lives are only about us. Rather, we must recognize that as God’s children our lives are on display for the world to see. What trial are you facing right now? How can the works of God be displayed in that trial?

As Elisabeth Elliot wrote in Suffering is Never for Nothing, “It’s He who was the Word before the foundation of the world, suffering as a lamb slain. And He has a lot up His sleeve that you and I haven’t the slightest idea about now. He’s told us enough so that we know suffering is never for nothing.”

[Jesus] said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.”

– John 9:7a

Parents want their children to obey promptly, cheerfully, and completely. Likewise, we should obey our Heavenly Father promptly, cheerfully, and completely. This blind man must by faith obey Jesus and go wash in order to be healed.

• What if he waited until tomorrow to wash?
• What if he grumbled the whole way he was walking to the pool?
• What if he went to a different pool that was more convenient to him?

How often do we fail to obey
(or our obedience comes from selfishness and pride)
and we miss out on a blessing that God has for us?

“His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” … He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.””

– John 9:20-21, 25 ESV

Did you notice how many times “know” and “don’t know” were used in verses 20 – 31? There are so many things that we don’t know, right? But there was something this healed man KNEW, “he was blind but now he sees.” Do you feel that way? Do you KNOW that?

Near the end of this chapter, in verse 35, when Jesus found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” and he answered, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” can you feel his joy in having his question answered, “You have SEEN Him, and it is He who is speaking to you”?

Can you answer with this man who once was blind but now sees, “Lord, I believe” and worship Him with joy-filled faith?

Heavenly Father,

You are the God who creates people who are born with sight and people who are born blind. You have purpose in both. Thank You for the gift of earthly sight that allows us to see the beauty of creation that we might be drawn to seek You. Thank You, also, for the gift of spiritual sight that we can see You at work in our lives and in the lives of others around us.

We pray that You will give us spiritual wisdom to obey You promptly, cheerfully, and completely. Please forgive us for all those times we have stubbornly refused to follow You, and all those times we have followed You grudgingly and half-heartedly, those times we’ve waited for a better time, or waited to hear You a second or third or fourth or hundredth time. Help us to be obedient children so that Your works and Your character will be powerfully on display in our lives.

We pray that we will recognize that we were once blind, so that we can be grateful for the GIFT of sight that we have received. Keep us humble and protect us from that pride which so easily creeps into our hearts. Thank You for Your lovingkindness and grace.

In the Almighty Name of Jesus our Savior and our Lord we pray. Amen.

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.