Scripture to Read: John 5:6–9
As we ended yesterday’s devotion, we were reminded that God’s timing is always perfect. His decisions are always perfect and complete as well. As we read John 5:6–9, we get to enjoy Jesus’ conversation with the man who had been ill for thirty-eight years. Interestingly, Jesus asked him, “Do you wish to get well?” The man could have just answered Jesus by saying yes. But instead, the man explains to Jesus his dilemma of not being able to be the first in the waters once they are stirred and that someone always gets there before he can. The following words from Jesus to the man are beautiful, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” The compassion and kindness of our Lord is abundant. Our Lord chooses to work in ways we may not understand, but when He does, it’s always incredible. We may be praying for the healing of a family member or friend, and as we wait to see what God will do, we can sometimes lose heart. We must remember that this world is not our final destination. We are here for a short time, and soon, we’ll get to be with our Lord for eternity. Even if He chooses not to heal someone here on earth, we know perfect healing is when we surrender to Him as Lord. When God does miraculously heal, His healing is always immediate and complete. We see this in John 5:9, “Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk.” Though we know that physical healing is temporary, spiritual healing is eternal.
Challenge & Application
• What stuck out to you the most about Jesus’ interaction with the man who had been ill for thirty-eight years?
• Why is waiting on God’s timing difficult at times, and how do we grow through those times of waiting?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!