Hope for the hopeless

 

Jesus answered, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. John 9:3 NASV

            Confronted with a man born blind the disciples jump to exactly the sort of conclusion we might, that a bad result came out of a bad action. Sin directly leads to blindness. This a human logic, this is karma; and it is hopeless. Indeed, it is hopeless, and must remain hopeless until God enters the equation setting fire to logic to empower it to good. Now we must understand that our Lord’s reply is logical, it makes just as much sense as what the disciples have concluded; but no, it must make more sense if we believe the words of Proverbs 1:7.

            Whether you will concede the rationality or not, the redemption cannot be denied. Before the one born blind was dammed to remain blind, and more to remain in sin. Before blindness was a pure curse. Before there was no good in this, not even a thought of good. As soon as God is entered into the consideration impossible possibilities open up. A life of suffering was given a definite purpose. A hard life was given meaning. A soul was assigned worth. Eyes (those the man and of the disciples, and of others) were opened. And the glory of God was displayed for all to see so that they might ascribed to God more of what God is due. The opening of physical eyes was the lesser miracle that described the greater. A whole life was redeemed. Blindness generally is a result of sin, but our Lord has overcome sin and its effects universally, and He also overcomes these particularly.

            God uses what is foolish in the world to show His holy wisdom, and in weakness He makes His strength perfectly evident. Through a man born blind He causes a community to see.  Where the world dismisses situations and persons as hopeless God arrives to bring hope to all. For the truth is that since Adam we are all come into this world blind and wretched. Now, behold I tell you a great truth, there is not one blind person who shall come to know Christ as did this man from John 9 that shall not have their sight restored. In like manner there are no lame in Christ that shall not one day get up and walk, nor any deaf that shall not hear, nor is there any injury of any kind that will not be made whole at the right time. In the meantime, He redeems the suffering of the saints to His glory, so that whatever we suffer, however we suffer, whenever we suffer, we may count it all joy for God will work all things to good by working all things to His glory. For the hopeless to have hope there must be something greater than the world at work.

Prayer

            Our Father in Heaven did You not condescend to be present also in the world the world would have no hope. Were the right Man not on our side our striving would be naught but failing. What was before not even a question has now become a question only of timing, and this we may well ask, how long oh Lord? We long to be healed in full, and to be set free from all the effects of sin, to be free of sin completely. So long as you are glorified let us wait patiently, enduring whatever light burden You ask us to bear gladly. We know the day will come soon. We know also You teary so that all our brethren might come. We delight in the show of Your mercy with every passing moment. You are good and greatly to be praised. Forgive us where we esteem not Your glory. Hallowed Your name, let Your Kingdom come, and let Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. In the name of Jesus, the Christ we pray. Amen.

Songs

Jesus I my cross have taken

As long as You are glorified by Sovereign Grace

Though You slay me by Shane and Shane

All must be well

 

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