Whose Fault Is It?

Daily Reading: John 9

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9.3, NIV)

Devotional Thought: There are obvious instances where brokenness is the direct result of sin: avarice will lead to broken finances; drug abuse will lead to broken bodies; jealously will lead to broken relationships; power struggles will lead to broken churches.  But so many times, suffering comes upon us randomly.  We want to know: "Whose fault is it?  What did they do wrong?"

Jesus has an answer for us:

·       Neither this man nor his parents sinned.  The disciples were correct to want an answer about this man's condition.  They were wrong, however, in their limiting presuppositions.  While Jesus' answer did not claim sinlessness on the part of either the man or his parents, neither did it blame the man's blindness on their sinfulness.

·       But this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.  This is the best part.  In this one statement, Jesus gives us the reason for all pain and suffering, then and now.  God does not cause suffering, but he certainly uses it for our good and for his glory.  Focus on the Family once published an article to the effect: Suffering produces intimacy with God.  Job, who endured unspeakable suffering, said, "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you" (Job 42.5, NIV).  Second, suffering equips us to comfort others (2 Corinthians 1.3-5).  Third, suffering refines us: "I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction" (Isaiah 48.10, NIV).  Fourth, suffering produces growth and maturity (James 1.2-4).  And finally, suffering conforms us into God's image (Romans 8.28-29).

"Whose fault is it?" is not the right question.  Rather it is, "Am I allowing God to work through this?"

Jenny Wade

Prayer: Lord, help me to hear your words: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  And then to go on to say, "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."  Amen.  (2 Corinthians 12.9-10)

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 37.1-6

1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!

2 For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.

6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.