Tuesday, July 19th, 2022

The world today talks often about fairness and equality. While they are noble goals, there is no way to achieve them perfectly because this is a world that is ruled by sin. It was such sin that many believed in Jesus‘s time, as well as today still, to be the source for difficult or unfair things happening in peoples’ lives. Job’s companions argued vehemently that he must have sinned to have caused the ruin in his life, and in John, even the disciples asked Jesus who had sinned — a man born blind or his parents. While sin is the reason this world will pass away and a new one will come, sin is not always the reason for unfairness in life. Jesus responded to his disciples’ question by saying, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” We were all born with challenges and some may seem more unfair than others, but Paul echoes Jesus’ teaching to the Corinthians, saying, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Many today preach on God‘s giftings and blessings, and how to use them to His glory. But the flipside of the coin is equally true — God will be glorified in our weaknesses and hardships. If you feel disillusioned or dejected because your life is not reflecting the same blessings as others you know, change your perspective. Do not hide your weaknesses from the Lord -- rejoice in them for they are opportunities for God to be glorified through you, as well. God delights in strengthening weak people so that no one can claim the things they accomplish were done by any hand other than God's.

“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.” After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.” John 9:1-7

“Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” — 2 Corinthians 12:7-10