Difficulties Into Deliverance

No one wants to suffer, whether it's emotionally or physically.

In John 9:1, Jesus' disciples met a man who was blind from birth. They asked Jesus who sinned--the man's parents or the man since he was born blind. Jesus replied in verse 3, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." Jesus basically told them they were asking the wrong question by asking why this adversity was allowed. The Savior then anointed the man's eyes with mud, which he was to wash away in the pool of Siloam. The man came back with his eyesight restored.

Even when Jesus rode a donkey through Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the people were exuberant with excitement waving palm leaves. But Jesus didn't share in their excitement because he knew his physical suffering was close at hand. In John 12:27-28, Jesus said, "Not My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name."

In literally one of the most horrific weeks of His life, Jesus didn't ask, "How can I get out of this?" but "How can God be glorified?"

God doesn't waste your suffering. The Lord knows how to turn our difficulties into deliverance and our problems into praise. He will glorify His name in the lives of His children, whatever their afflictions may be. Be more concerned for God's glory than for your relief.

(Barbie will be signing books in Yazoo City at Essco's today from 11am-1pm. Her newest book continues to sell out at her book signings. Check these stores for available copies:

Jackson: Lifeway Christian Store & Lemuria Books
Mendenhall: Mendenhall Grocery & Grain
Batesville: Promises & Praise
Brookhaven: Expectations
McComb: Edgewood Interiors
Yazoo City: Essco's

Or, they can be ordered at www.barbiebassett.com)