I once was blind, but now I see

Posted on February 16, 2010 by valerie

When I was about 7 years old, I began having trouble with my schoolwork
and couldn’t see things at a distance very well.

My parents took me to the have an eye exam and the doctor prescribed
glasses to correct my vision.

Back then, glasses were not “cool” at all and I was teased and taunted by
classmates.

The chants of “4-eyes” stung, and because of the painful way I was treated, I
chose to not wear my glasses when I was around others.

I preferred to settle for limited vision, in order to gain acceptance by my peers.

Looking back, I see how foolish this was. My grades suffered, and even though
I desperately tried to fit it, I never really was popular or had many friends.

We all have times when people will bully or betray us, but it is vitally important
to learn how to deal with rejection; so we don’t settle for less than God’s best for us.

(Today’s devotion is from John 9)

Often when a person is born with a serious illness or different from what we think of
as normal… we have a tendency to question, why?

Studying God’s word gives us many examples of those who
suffered rejection, so we may find comfort and encouragement in our
times of trials and testings.

Jesus was traveling along a road and came across a man who
had been blind from his birth.

The disciples asked Jesus saying…

Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents that he was born blind?
John 9:2

They remembered in the Old Testament law of Exodus 20:5,
which spoke of a curse being put upon a man’s children to the
third and fourth generation if he hated God.

Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but
that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
John 9:3

Jesus explained to them, I am the light of the world.

He came to earth to do the work, His Father, sent Him to do.

Jesus had compassion on the man and didn’t want his family to be
judged and criticized in their adversity.

Jesus spit upon the ground and formed some clay. He placed it
in the man’s eyes, and told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam.
(The name Siloam means Sent)

The man did as he was told, and returned overjoyed that his sight was restored.

The people questioned the man, how he received his sight.

He carefully explained the miraculous way Jesus’ healed him.

The people asked where Jesus was, but he did not know.

The Pharisees were upset that Jesus had broken the law
and healed on the Sabbath. Others wondered how a man
who was a sinner could do such miracles…and there was
quarreling among them regarding Jesus.

The blind man believed Jesus was a prophet, but the Jews
did not believe him.

The Pharisees found the man’s parents and asked if this was their son,
and how he received his sight.

They said he was indeed, their son, and he was born blind…
but they told them to question their son, themselves…
for he was an adult and could speak for himself.

The man’s parents were afraid to acknowledge that Jesus was
Christ, for fear they would be thrown out of the synagogue.

The Pharisees, again asked the man about his healing, and
told him, he should give God the praise. They felt sure,
Jesus was a sinner, and asked if the man was now a disciple
of Jesus.

The man said, Jesus had done a wonderful thing for him,
and defended Jesus by saying…

Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God,
and doeth his will, him he heareth. Since the world began was it not heard
that any man opened the eyes of one that was blind. If this man were not of God,
he could do nothing. John 9:31-33

They cast the man away from them, saying he was a sinner.

How dare he try to teach them!

Jesus heard how the man was treated and went to find him.
When he found him in the temple, He asked…

Do you believed in the Son of God?

The man replied..

Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? John 9:36

Jesus told the man, He was the Son of God. The man
bowed to the ground and worshipped Him.

Jesus said..

For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see;
and that they which see might be made blind.

And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words,
and said unto him, Are we blind also?

Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye would have no sin:
but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth. John 9:39-41

In the New Testament, Jesus wanted people to see that sometimes
people are born with afflictions, so God’s glory will be shown
through their adversity. He didn’t want us trying to judge another
person, as to why problems came into their life.

God may choose to do a powerful healing, or simply unite
the family of God in prayer and petition. Sometimes, God
may choose to give a person, with physical limitations, powerful
spiritual gifts, to prove the weak can be made strong,
through His power.

One person that comes to mind in today’s society is Joni Tada.
She was injured by an accident in her teens, and is confined, physically
to a wheel chair…yet God has given her the ability to paint beautiful
pictures, using her mouth to hold the brush. She also has the gift of
writing, singing, and poetry. She and her husband have a powerful
ministry to help the disabled…learn to be enabled, through the
power of God.

The healings Jesus did in the scriptures, were not done in any
consistent manner. Some were touched and healed.

The blind man may have lost his miracle if he would have pulled away,
when Jesus tried to put mud in his eyes, or refused to go wash immediately.

Fortunately, he choose to simply believe, obey, and
receive his healing.

It is interesting to note, the man never asked Jesus for anything.
He was divinely in the right place at the right time…so
Jesus could show His glory through him.

Scripture show us the way healing comes, doesn’t always
make sense in human logic. It is important to live by faith
and not by emotions or feelings.

The Pharisees could physically see, but their eyes were
blinded from the truth, because of doubt and unbelief.

They were obsessed with keeping the rules of religion,
but never tried to see Jesus for who He was…

The Son of God.

Jesus has told us in scripture…

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
John 14:1

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,
but by me. John 14:6

He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also and greater works
than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask
in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.
John 14:12-14

We are given the gift of the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide
us through the messages of scripture. He allows us to see the
mysteries of the Bible, through believing eyes. This is why it is
important for a person to be “Born Again.”

Jesus said…
…Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:3

Beloved, today you may be suffering from a physical or emotional problem.
You may have tried drugs, pills, sex, or alcohol to deaden the pain you feel inside.

You feel like an outcast, but your heavenly Father created you special and unique.

The Bible says, we are created in the image of God, and he doesn’t make junk.

He loved you so much, He sent his Son to die to take away your
sins and those of the whole world.

Don’t be foolish like I was and choose to remain blind, so you will be accepted by
your peers.

Call out to Jesus and let him heal you everywhere you hurt.

Friends and family may reject you for being a follower of Christ, but Jesus will never
leave or forsake you.

Let the power of the Holy Spirit open your eyes to a new and wonderful life on earth
and eternal security in heaven…

Choose life and sight, that you may have eternal life!

Heavenly Father,
Holy is Your name…

Thank you for the gift of life and sight…
for the snow, rain, and sunshine to cleanse and brighten our days.

Thank you for opening our eyes with the words of scripture,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Forgive me for my sins. Cast out doubt, unbelief, and unforgiveness from
my heart. Fill me with wisdom and knowledge, to know and do Your will.

Turn my eyes from worthless things. Let me see, through Your eyes,
the vision that You have prepared for me. I give You my heart, my life,
my spirit. Transform me into a vessel of light, to share the message of
the Gospel with others. I trust You to supply the words, the wisdom,
the open doors, and the provision to spread Your words rapidly and
with power. You are the vine, I am merely the branch. If I abide in
You and You in me, then we will bring forth much fruit. Without
You, I can do nothing. I love You! Thank you for the privilege to
serve you.

Keep us from evil and temptation. Thank you for abundantly
providing all we need for our bodies and life. Enlarge our
territory, let us cause no pain to anyone.

Let hate, prejudice, and wars cease. Grant us Your peace.

Lead and direct the hearts of our leaders in all parts of the
world to know and do Your will. Protect us from rulers
that would lead us into sin. Help us to be men and women
of integrity and love. With You all things are possible.

Thank You Father for choosing me to be your child.

We lift up prayers to You for Mary, Martha, Shirley, Margie, Gloria,
Judy, Norm, Ed, the people of Haiti, and all who are suffering from affliction
or adversity. Father, help us to remember that nothing can happen unless You
allow it, for a divine purpose. Your ways are higher than ours.
Open our eyes to see any areas of our life that would block our healing,
so we may quickly turn and repent. Let Your strength and healing
balm, comfort and supply all in need according to Your will.
Wrap them in the arms of Your love and help them to feel Your
presence and peace.

We lift up prayers to you for all who are blinded by
the powers of darkness. Reach out to all who are ensnared by the sins
of fornication, pornography, or homosexual behavior.

Only You can help them to see the error of their ways and
change. We love them and fear they will hurt themselves
and others by their sins. Transform them by the renewing
of their minds and hearts, for you are a God who loves
us and cares.

We lift up prayers to you for the United States, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Chechnya, Nigeria, Indonesia,
Turkey, the Czech Republic, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Africa, China, Haiti, Japan,
and all nations of the world. Send laborers into the harvest, LORD so
we may preach and publish your word with power. Bring the lost
to the cross of Jesus, so they may receive forgiveness and healing
for their children and lands.

We commit all to Your care, trusting in You to deliver, protect, provide,
and heal. With You all things are possible.

Thank you for listening to our prayers, and lovingly forgiving us for our sins.
The storms you allow help us grow in faith. We are grateful that you remind
us of your faithfulness, with the gift of a rainbow to chase the dark clouds
away.

In Jesus’ name we pray…

Amen

Cast all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

1 Peter 5:7

Your sister and servant of the LORD Jesus,

Valerie Rousseau