Encouragement
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THAT GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED
And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. John 9:1-3;
When you find yourself in problems, challenges, troubles, hardship and storms, it is not a bad idea to probe or find out why or what could be responsible. In fact it is recommended that you should always attempt to find out what may be responsible for what you're going through. The reason is simple, when you know the source of a problem or trouble, that problem is already solved. But if you do not know what is responsible for the problem that’s confronting you, you may suffer and remain in that situation for a very long time. This brings to mind the story of Jonah and those who were traveling in the same ship with him from Joppa to Tarshish (Jonah 1:1-15). In the course of the voyage, the wind was contrary and they were in serious danger, to the extent that their ship was about to capsize. Everyone on board didn't know who or what was responsible for their predicament; they tried so much to salvage the situation and struggle it through, but the harder they tried, the more they failed. Perhaps the weight of the ship was the problem, they cast their luggage, goods and stuffs into the sea with their own hands in an attempt to lighten the ship, yet the sea did not cease raging.
Having done everything that they thought could help them out of the situation but without any solution, it became obvious that their destruction was imminent as they struggled to keep the ship afloat. It was at this point it just occurred to them to find out why they were going through the turbulent and terrible storm that nothing could calm. Jonah chapter 1 verse 7 says ‘And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah’. Thank God they asked this important question which they should actually have asked much earlier when the problem just commenced. Do you know that if these men had asked this question early enough to know the source of their trouble, they would not have lost all the goods that were thrown into the sea, and they would not have suffered for that long? Well, thank God they asked the crucial question at least, for not until they then did they know that Jonah was their problem. If they had not asked they would not have discovered that a man that was under the wrath of the Almighty God was right in their ship, and it was because of him they were all in danger of perishing in the midst of the sea.
As soon as these travelers on board discovered the source of their problem, they hesitantly threw Jonah out of the ship and that brought the long awaited solution to their troubles! So you can see it's important to always probe and find out why you're going through what you're going through, especially before the situation degenerates and completely gets out hand.
In John 9:1-3, when Jesus was passing by, the Bible says He saw a man that was blind from birth. I’m so sure the man was not the only one that had a problem, there were probably tens of dozens other folks who had one sickness, challenge or the other, but it was this man that Jesus saw. I pray that the Almighty God will 'SEE' you today in Jesus' name. Amen. It is surprising that what Jesus saw in the man was not what His disciples saw. While Jesus saw a man in whose life God’s glory was about to be revealed, the disciples never saw this but only came to Jesus to merely discuss the man’s problem. They came not to plead the cause of the man or to ask the Master to lay hands for healing of his blindness, but all they were interested in was to discuss the man's problem. You need to realize that people are not so much concerned about how your situation can be better, but it is not difficult for them to take delight in talking about your problems. Many people are satisfied talking about your problems, and may even derive pleasure in making discussions about your problem their pastimes.
With the question 'Rabbi (Teacher) who sinned, is it this man or his parents that he was born blind?', it appears the disciples had already concluded that the man was suffering because of his sin or that of his parents. It may be true that sin is the major cause of the problems and troubles that most people are passing through, but in the case of this man, the Lord Jesus revealed that sin was not the cause, but that God's work should be revealed in him - in other word THAT GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED in his life.
Do you know that the reason you're going through the problem and troubles you're currently facing may not necessarily be because of a sin that you have committed, but that the glory of God may be revealed in your life? Yes, God wants to glorify Himself through your situation and the problems you're going through! Somebody may ask ‘must I go through troubles, pains, sickness or challenge before God can glorify Himself in my life?’ Sometimes, God may choose to work through your challenges as an occasion to showcase His glory, and when He elects to do so, you should consider yourself privileged and blessed. You need to always remember that God is the Master Planner who had beforetime carefully crafted and mapped out His divine purpose, taking into considerations your weaknesses and challenges you’re ever going to face in life.
How can God be glorified through your pains and troubles? The story of Paul is a perfect example. According to 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Apostle Paul talked about the thorn in his flesh which God decided to not remove despite his repeated prayers and pleas. It is interesting that God can be glorified not only when He answers prayers, heals the sick, performs a miracle or raise the dead; He can also choose to glorify Himself by permitting a man to permanently live with a condition that is considered a reproach, a weakness or a thorn in the flesh. That is why He is the Almighty God! When a man is physically strong, healthy, sound, able and lacking nothing, it is easy for people to attribute whatever he achieves to his physical strength, ability and personality, thereby overshadowing the grace of the Almighty God. But when a man with certain conditions, seeming weakness or obvious challenge or problem rises to do uncommon exploits inspite of his condition and physical weaknesses, it immediately becomes evident what the grace of God can achieve through the frail and feeble.
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.2Corinthian 12: 7-10.
In the case of the man that was born blind, the way God chose to be glorified in his life was through the miracle of divine healing that he received. On the account of what God did in the man’s life, many people freely offered praises to God and were equally moved to acknowledge and submit to Christ’s Lordship. Through the undeniable miracle that took place in the man’s life, his life became a great testimony of how God can turn a hopeless situation around. This exactly is what God desires! When people see how God has changed the story of your life, they will not only rejoice with you, but also receive great encouragement that the same God who did it for you is able to do it for them also. This is why you must never allow the devil to kill your hope.
Dearly beloved, are you going through serious challenges, pains, troubles and storms in your career, marriage, health, family, business or ministry at the moment? There’s no need to be bitter or be angry with God because of the challenges and troubles you’re going through now. If we are in the position to make a choice, it is certain that none of us would ever choose problem, challenges or pain, but these are part of the major avenues the Almighty God can bring glory to His name in our lives. God is alive, and what He did for others He can do for you. don’t allow the devil to sell hopelessness to you, I hear the Lord say concerning you that the reason you’re going through what you’re passing through is that God’s glory may be revealed in your life. Not too long from now, the glory of God will be revealed in your life, and everyone who has laughed at you will laugh with you! Amen!
Shalom.
Ezekiel Olukolajo
[email protected]
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