Answer to Prayer

Our family is working through a difficult time. One day I broke down before my Lord and asked why. Why our family? Why now? Why us? I poured my heart out to him and laid my burden at his feet but I still wanted answers. I still wanted to know if there was a purpose in all of this. If there was a reason the circumstances will play out this particular way.

God was faithful and provided an answer to my prayer in the story of the blind man found in the book of John, chapter 9, of the bible. It came to me in two parts. The first part was for me. I knew it was God's answer as soon as I read it.

The second part was for another person in my family and it came as I read this story to a family member out loud. As I read, I expected the same revelation of understanding to be given (found in verses 1-3) that gave me so much peace but it wasn't until the end of the story that the revelation of peace came to the other person. I knew, too, as soon as I read verses 35-38 that this is the part of the message God wanted this person to have.


John 9:1-3
1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.

There was a purpose! God was going to take a life and change it through these circumstances! As a result, God's work would be displayed in this person's life for others to see and marvel at the transformation. This process may be quick, but I am more inclined to think, it will be a long process. But, it started here, in this circumstance, at this point in time. This is the defining moment that will bring about the work of God in this life.

I, also, believe how I handle the situation will display the work of God already taken place in my own life. He has prepared me for this time. He gives me strength now. He holds me up and gives me joy and peace in the midst of the difficult time. The work of God in me will be evident to those around me as they see me rise above the circumstance with hope and grace. Thank you Lord.

John 9:35-38
35Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"

36"Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him."

37Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you."

38Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.

I believe that Jesus wants to reveal himself through these circumstances in a very intimate way to some who have never thought to look for him or have not yet found him. I don't believe he caused the situation but he allowed it, and there is heavenly purpose. Souls will meet the life source of our Living Lord and Savior and be saved and transformed! These very souls, made alive in Christ, will testify to the goodness of God's grace to others. It's all part of the great story of how God draws men onto himself.

How can I rebel against the work of God? I can't. I must rely on him for strength and continued grace to see us through. I trust in his promises and his love, but more importantly, in his power to turn this around for his purpose.