Today’s devotional courtesy of Alistair Begg entitled ‘Sovereign Over Suffering.’
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His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
Sometimes God has something better for us than an answer to our questions.
When Jesus’ disciples saw “a man blind from birth” (John 9:1), they asked the probing question: Who is to blame? Yet Jesus’ answer indicates that the disciples were asking the wrong question. Rather than looking for someone to blame for the blind man’s state, they needed to learn a lesson about God’s sovereignty over suffering.
Their assumption was that sin and suffering are intimately connected. This assumption is generally true. Genesis 3 makes clear that it was the entry of sin into the world that disrupted the goodness of the world. All the thorns and thistles—the disharmony, mayhem, illnesses, and everything else—are a consequence of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. Yet while the disciples’ assumption is understandable, their belief that there was a connection between the sin and the sufferings of a particular individual put them on shaky ground.
It is encouraging to know that two millennia ago those closest to Jesus had questions about suffering. We, too, face these questions when the news from the doctor is the opposite of what we had hoped for, and perhaps most acutely of all when our loved ones face pain that we cannot remove. We face them, too, as we talk with those in our community.
When we search the Scriptures, we see that even though there is a cost to be paid for our sin, the suffering we experience is not the form of payment. God’s word doesn’t introduce us to a deity on a deckchair who is indifferent to our pain. Rather, it directs us to a God on a cross, who understands rejection, pain, and grief at the deepest level because He has experienced those things. Not only that, but He did it for us. He has “borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4) and, in bearing the crushing weight of our sin on Himself, has made it so that “this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17). The same Jesus who gave the man born blind his sight (John 9:6-7) has given you, born in sin as you are, your salvation. We may not understand why God leads us along the paths that He does in this life, but we have an eternity of pain-free joy in His presence to see how, through all of it, He was guiding us toward our heavenly home.
Have you been through something so difficult that it has caused you to lose your bearings? Have your circumstances left you looking for someone to blame? God suffered and died for you, and He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). He is not surprised by your situation or your struggle. He might not give you answers right now, but He has given you the cross, which assures you that there is no length to which He will not go to for your eternal good. Come to Him with all of your pain and confusion, and He will give you rest.
Today’s Updates:
Zach has been assigned a room at AgeCare Seton, which we got to see this week. We are able to start bringing furniture and decorations to his room, but since it is not yet equipped with all of the equipment that Zach needs for his regular care, we are still waiting for a date when Zach will be able to move from the hospital to his new home. The care home staff also met with some of the staff from Zach’s current unit to prepare them for Zach’s care. Please continue to pray for a smooth transition from the hospital to this care home.
Zach has been very tired in the mornings again this week, sometimes sleeping all the way to lunch. Sometimes Zach will only eat two meals in a day because he sleeps for so much of the morning. Please pray that Zach will sleep well at night and feel refreshed in the mornings. Please also pray that he will have the energy he needs for each day.
Zach has been eating more this week compared to last week. Please pray that Zach will continue to have an appetite for his meals. Zach has also been calmer with most care this week. Please continue to pray for calmness and peace for Zach. Pray also that he will be able to communicate his needs and that we will understand how best to help him.
Thank you for your prayers for Zach. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. Pray that he will feel God’s peace. Pray that God will be near to him, also as we prepare for moving him to a care home. Have a blessed Sunday.
“As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
(John 9:1-5)
