Today’s Reading: John 9:24-34
Hearing God’s Voice for Today:
“Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
* * * * *
Jesus healed a man born blind. The man then defended Jesus against the Jewish officials. He didn’t exaggerate in his assessment of the Lord. Since the world had been formed, no one had ever heard of anyone opening the eyes of a man born blind. He said correctly that this miracle could not have happened if Jesus was not sent from his Father in heaven.
Then the man made an extraordinarily insightful statement. If Jesus was not sent from God, he could do nothing. Unless his life was securely connected to the life of the Father in heaven, he had no authority. He could perform no miracles. He could not cast out demons. He could not preach the power of the kingdom of God.
Jesus, the Son, is in the Father. The Father is in him.
You cannot bear fruit in your own strength. Human strength cannot accomplish divine work. Apart from Jesus, no work possesses eternal value.
You need to abide in him. You must have a close, personal, living, dynamic, and vibrant relationship with him. You must remain connected to him throughout your day.
That’s why prayer at all times is so important. It allows you to constantly communicate with Jesus and he with you. In prayer, you lean on him—totally dependent in all areas of your life. As you spend time in his Word, it will come to dwell richly in you. Worship will spontaneously happen whenever a thought about him crosses your mind. Obedience to his will becomes a joy as you serve the one you dearly love.
The very power that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in you. You have an eternal relationship with him. All your strength comes from being connected to him, the sovereign Lord of the universe. He makes you as sure-footed as a deer climbing to new heights. He gives power to the weak and makes them strong.
Have you ever wondered why he gives you so many blessings? There is a simple answer. He wants to bless you so that you can be a blessing to others.
Jesus wants to use you to give food to the hungry. He wants you to provide water to the thirsty. He wants you to be his presence to prisoners and the shut-ins. He would like for you to help those caught in human trafficking to be free. He desires you to be a funnel of hope to the hopeless. He wants you to be a vessel of love to the unloved.
Apart from him, these things can’t be accomplished. But when you are connected to him, you can do anything.
Believe it’s true.
God’s strength becomes your strength.
Then act in his strength.
[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]