“Jesus answered, ‘It was neither that this man sinned, nor his
parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in
him.’”John 9:3
He was born blind.
People assumed someone must have sinned—either him or his parents. That’s how most of us think: if something goes wrong, someone must be to blame. But Jesus didn’t focus on blame. He pointed to purpose.
“This happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” The blindness wasn’t a random defect. It wasn’t divine punishment. It was a thread—woven silently through decades of this man’s life, waiting for the moment God would reveal what He had planned all along. The man didn’t ask to be healed. He didn’t know who Jesus was. He was sitting in the dark, begging for coins, not miracles. But Jesus saw him. Stopped for him. Spat in the dirt, made mud, and gave him sight. The healing wasn’t flashy—it was personal.
And it came with a bigger story.
The man’s healing became a testimony. His life was a signpost for the works of God. And his suffering, confusing as it had been, was not wasted. It had a purpose—*to reveal the power, compassion, and timing of God*.
What pain in your life feels unanswered?
What season have you spent wondering why—when no explanation seems to come?
The answer may not be found in immediate understanding. It may be found in this: **God is still weaving. And the display of His glory might not be in what you avoided, but in what you endured**.
Your story may still be unfolding. And when the thread is finally revealed, others may see God more clearly—not because you were perfect, but because He was present in your pain.
Cross-References:
- 2 Corinthians 4:17 — “Momentary, light affliction is producing… an eternal weight of glory…”
- Isaiah 55:8–9 — “My thoughts are not your thoughts… My ways are higher than your ways.”
- Romans 8:18 — “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory…”
Questions for Reflection:
1. What painful experience in your life has yet to make sense?
2. How might God be using your story—not just to comfort you, but to reveal Himself to others?
3. Are you willing to believe that your deepest pain might hold a future testimony?
Prayer Prompt:
Lord, I give You the parts of my life that don’t make sense. I trust that You are not wasting them. Let Your works be displayed through my wounds, and let my story highlight Your glory.
This devotional is excerpted from Threads of the Miraculous by D.C. Robertsson.
