LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil
Tuesday 5th September 2023
GOD WILL BE GLORIFIED
Scripture Reading: John 9
Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. John 9:3
The disciples of Jesus wondered whether the blind man’s condition was because of his sins or those of his parents. What an enlightening response from Jesus – neither this man nor his parents sinned.
• This is not the man’s fault. Although sin can get us into all kinds of trouble, the Lord was clear that in this man’s case, his blindness was not due to sin. There is a lesson here for us. We cannot jump to conclusions that all difficulties and hardships that people face stem from acts of transgression. That is not always the case. Sometimes, people get into trouble without doing anything wrong.
The disciples were part of a Jewish community that believed in the curse on parents falling on their children. Although God had corrected that view in the Old Testament, many Jews still believed that the sins of the parents would be visited on their children.
• This is for God’s glory. The Lord Jesus showed that God is able to work with whatever situation we find ourselves in. Regardless of how dire and seemingly hopeless it may look, God has the power to work a work of redemption in that situation that brings glory to His name.
God did not make the man blind. Neither does He wish for ill or trouble for any person. But, as with this man who was blind from birth, God turns the circumstances around to showcase His power in people’s lives.
When we witness people go through similar challenging situations, we should resist the temptation to fault and criticize. Instead, we should look out for how God’s glory can shine out of the predicament.
May the Lord take you and place you where He wants you to be for His glory.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know you will use my situation to showcase your glory to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.