I was in the
middle of worship and the Lord reminded me that the Blind Will See! I then
opened my journal to write some things down. Interesting how the Holy Spirit
works because I had already written (I don't know how long ago that was) about three Blind men in the bible. The Blind men we will look at in this post
are Samson, the blind man that Jesus not only gave sight to but made eyes for,
and Paul in his transition from Saul to Paul.
Samson
If you
haven't noticed already the times supposed barren women give birth, usually the
first born, to kids who are called to do works for God's kingdom. Samson was no
different. His parents needed special instructions on how to raise him. He was
set apart for the Lord and like John the Baptist and Paul, Samson was a Nazirite. He vowed to set himself apart for the things of the Lord. However, Samson lost
track of that and fell into a trap from the devil. One by one he broke his vows
to the lord. It resulted in him losing his sight! He was captured and under the
yoke of the Philistines.
I think the
fact that Samson became blind, close to the end of his life, refocused him on his
mission. He was guarded from the Lust of the Eyes ( 1 John 2:16,
Genesis 3:6, Proverbs 27:20). It
was as he sat imprisoned that his hair started growing back - God's presence
returned to him. It was in his blindness he saw, again, what the Lord created him
for. It was in those times of darkness he saw the light! I recommend you ready Judges
13-16 to get his full story.
"28 Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just
once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my
two eyes.” 29 Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the
temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his
left hand on the other, 30 Samson said, “Let me die
with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the
temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he
died than while he lived." Judges 16: 28- 30
The
Man Born Blind
The man born blind was also born for a great purpose! He was born
exactly the way he was to bring God glory (John 9:1-2). In the time and
place he was growing up people believed that he was blind because
of a sin. Essentially, any infirmity was considered a direct result
of someone messing up, falling short. Jesus Christ showed them otherwise. This
man was born blind to bring glory to the name of the Lord, to show His loving
Kindness. Jesus wanted His disciples to see that God is so much bigger than
physical limitations. That even without the person knowing it, He can be
glorified in that person's situation. The blind man did not see Jesus but it
says in the bible that Jesus saw him! He is a God who sees all things!
We are spiritually blind, from birth, until the day we accept Christ as
our Lord and Savior. We then start seeing/living in the spiritual
realm for His glory. Even the fact that we were blind but now we see brings
glory to Him. This makes me believe that Christ dying for my sin, Him coming to
open my eyes was not an afterthought. It was/is part of the divine plan the
lord has for me!
God turned
what the devil tried to use for his own glory as means of making us His
kids!
"24 A second time
they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the
truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” 25 He replied,
“Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind
but now I see!” 26 Then
they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 He
answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want
to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” 28 Then
they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are
disciples of Moses!" John 9: 24-28
Paul
Saul was a man who zealously pursued and
killed Christians (Acts 9: 1-4). He was a well versed in the
laws of the Lord. He was Pharisee born from a Pharisee. He was a Jew who was
also a Roman citizen. Saul was clearly a person in a position of influence. He
held the jackets of those who stoned Stephen to death. But then Jesus
appeared to him on his way to Damascus. After he encountered Jesus in
a mighty way, he became temporarily blind.
It could be that he was made to be blind to have the picture of
Jesus replay in his mind. It could also be that he would experience grace
through people he was executing! Let us think for a second that it was
to for him to experience forgiveness, grace, love and obedience all at once!
Could it be that Jesus wanted him to experience the gospel in a physical way?
Because when his eyes opened he was no longer Saul but Paul! He became a new
creation in Christ!
Why do I think he experienced
grace, love, and forgiveness? Why do I think he saw obedience? Ananias was
called by the lord to go pray with the now Paul. Mind you Ananias knows that
this man has fresh blood on his hands. He lost many of his brothers, in Christ,
because of this guy. But the lord tells him to go and pray for Paul! He was obedient
to go to and pray for Saul of Tarsus. Ananias did not know that Saul was now
Paul!! He was still obedient! He saw this man and prayed for him! He showed him
what it means to be forgiven, what it means to be under grace! What it means to
love like Christ did! Ananias called him Brother Saul!!! Wow!!
“10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to
him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man
from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his
hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this
man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he
has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your
name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the
Gentiles and their kingsand to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul,
the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has
sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”18 Immediately,
something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up
and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.” Acts 9: 10-19
You have seen how the lord has used blindness in three
different people. What are different ways you can allow the lord to work in
your lives? How can He be glorified in your current situation? How can you
continue to live for Him?
These are questions you can ask God in your quiet times. Remember
that He is limitless! Don’t be shocked by the answers you get! He is able. :)
Stay Blessed<3
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