Transforming Suffering into Opportunity for God's Glory

Jun 02, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Glory in Suffering

When faced with suffering or hardship, it is easy to look for someone or something to blame, but Jesus redirects our focus from blame to purpose—reminding us that even in pain, God can be glorified. Instead of assuming that suffering is always a result of personal or generational sin, we are invited to trust that God is at work in ways we may not immediately see, using even our struggles to reveal His power and goodness. The story of the man born blind shows us that our greatest trials can become the very place where God’s works are displayed, and our lives can become testimonies of His grace and glory. [12:51]

John 9:1-3 (ESV)
As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to focus on blame or “why me?”—and how might you instead look for how God could be glorified in your current struggle?

Day 2: The Danger of Judgment and the Call to Compassion

It is a common human tendency to judge others’ suffering, assuming it must be the result of their sin or lack of faith, but Jesus calls us to a different response—compassion. We are reminded that we cannot see the heart or the full story of another person, and that God’s grace is available to all, regardless of their circumstances. Instead of criticizing or distancing ourselves from those who are hurting, we are called to draw near, to meet physical needs, and to offer the hope and love of Christ without reservation or judgment. [18:33]

Matthew 7:1-2 (ESV)
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”

Reflection: Think of someone you’ve been tempted to judge for their struggles—how can you show them compassion and the love of Christ this week?

Day 3: The Urgency of Doing God’s Work

Jesus reminds us that our time to serve and make a difference is limited, and that we must seize every opportunity to do the works God has set before us. There is an urgency to our calling—not just to talk about faith, but to live it out by loving, serving, and sharing the gospel with those around us. We are not meant to be passive observers, but active participants in God’s mission, pouring out what He has poured into us, and making disciples who will go and make disciples. [29:51]

John 9:4-5 (ESV)
“We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Reflection: What is one specific way you can step out and serve or share your faith today, rather than waiting for a “better” time?

Day 4: The Power of Simple Obedience

The man born blind was healed not because he understood everything, but because he simply obeyed Jesus’ instructions—he went, washed, and came back seeing. Sometimes we get caught up in wanting to know all the answers or have everything figured out, but God often calls us to take the next step of obedience, trusting Him with the outcome. Our journey with Christ is a series of small, faithful steps, and as we obey, we experience His transforming power in our lives and become living witnesses to others. [44:16]

John 9:6-7 (ESV)
Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.

Reflection: What is the next step of obedience God is asking you to take, even if you don’t fully understand where it will lead?

Day 5: Sharing What Jesus Has Done for You

The healed man’s testimony was simple: “The man called Jesus… told me to do this, and now I see.” We don’t need to have all the theological answers or eloquent words; we just need to share honestly what Jesus has done in our lives. Your story—how Jesus has met you, changed you, and given you hope—can be the very thing God uses to open someone else’s eyes to His love. Don’t underestimate the power of your testimony, no matter how simple it may seem. [48:21]

Revelation 12:11 (ESV)
And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

Reflection: Who is one person you can share your story with this week—simply and honestly—about what Jesus has done in your life?

Sermon Summary

In the midst of the chaos and confusion that surrounded Jesus in Jerusalem, He continually demonstrated compassion and purpose, even when His own life was threatened. As He left the temple, with people ready to stone Him, Jesus paused to notice a man born blind. Instead of engaging in theological debates about the cause of the man’s suffering, Jesus shifted the focus from blame to the opportunity for God’s glory to be revealed. The disciples, like many of us, wanted to assign responsibility—was it the man’s sin or his parents’? But Jesus redirected their attention: suffering is not always the result of personal or generational sin, but can be a canvas for God’s work.

This challenges the common human impulse to judge or explain suffering by pointing fingers. We often want neat answers, but the reality is more complex. Sometimes, consequences are the result of our own actions, but often, pain and hardship are simply part of living in a broken world. The story of Job reminds us that even the righteous suffer, not because of hidden sin, but because God’s purposes are deeper than we can see. We must be careful not to assume we know the reasons behind someone’s struggles, and instead, approach others with humility and grace.

Jesus’ response to the blind man also teaches us about the urgency and nature of our calling. He didn’t just talk about the man’s need—He acted, meeting the physical need as a doorway to spiritual transformation. We are called to do the same: to serve, to love, and to bring light into darkness. Our faith is not just about understanding theology or having all the answers, but about simple, obedient steps—doing what Jesus asks, even when we don’t fully understand.

Ultimately, the miracle is not just in the healing, but in the transformation that comes from encountering Jesus. The man’s testimony was simple: “A man called Jesus told me what to do, and now I see.” We are invited to share what Jesus has done in our lives, not with complicated arguments, but with the authenticity of our own story. In a world searching for answers, our role is to point to Jesus, the true light, and trust that God will use our obedience for His glory.

Key Takeaways

1. Suffering is not always the result of personal or generational sin. While there are times when our actions have direct consequences, much of the pain in this world is not a punishment from God. Instead, suffering can be an opportunity for God’s glory to be revealed, as seen in the life of the man born blind and in the story of Job. We must resist the urge to judge or assign blame, and instead, approach others with compassion and humility. [04:59]
2. God’s purposes are often beyond our understanding. Like Job, we may never fully grasp why certain hardships come our way. God’s sovereignty means that He can use even the most difficult circumstances for His glory and our growth. Our role is not to demand explanations, but to trust in His wisdom and goodness, even when the reasons are hidden from us. [20:22]
3. Meeting physical needs opens the door to spiritual transformation. Jesus didn’t ignore the blind man’s immediate need; He addressed it as a way to reveal deeper spiritual truths. In our own lives, we are called to serve others practically, recognizing that acts of compassion can prepare hearts to receive the gospel. True ministry often begins with meeting people where they are, in their pain and need. [16:13]
4. Obedience is often simple, even when we don’t understand everything. The blind man’s healing came as he obeyed Jesus’ instructions, even though he didn’t know all the details. Our walk with Christ is a series of next steps—acts of faith and obedience that may not make sense in the moment, but lead to transformation. We are not called to have all the answers, but to trust and follow Jesus, one step at a time. [44:16]
5. Our testimony is powerful in its simplicity. The man born blind didn’t have a theological argument—he simply shared what Jesus had done for him. Likewise, our witness is most effective when we authentically share our own encounters with Christ. In a world hungry for hope, pointing to Jesus with honesty and humility is often the most compelling message we can offer. [49:40]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:29] - Jesus Leaves the Temple Under Threat
[04:59] - Theodicy: Why Do Bad Things Happen?
[07:48] - Generational Sin and Personal Responsibility
[09:27] - When Suffering Is a Direct Result of Sin
[12:51] - God’s Glory Revealed Through Suffering
[14:31] - Compassion Over Criticism
[16:13] - Meeting Physical and Spiritual Needs
[18:33] - The Danger of Judging Others
[20:22] - Lessons from Job’s Suffering
[22:37] - God’s Grace and Sovereignty
[23:58] - God Heals in Many Ways
[26:31] - Paul’s Thorn and God’s Sufficient Grace
[29:51] - The Urgency of Our Calling
[32:21] - Living as Light in the World
[36:49] - The Necessity of Knowing Jesus
[40:10] - The Miracle and Its Meaning
[44:16] - Obedience and Transformation
[49:40] - Sharing a Simple Testimony
[52:22] - Closing and Challenge

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

- John 9:1-12 (Jesus heals the man born blind)
- Job 1:6-8 (God allows Job to be tested)
- 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (Paul’s thorn in the flesh and God’s sufficient grace)

Observation Questions

In John 9, what question did the disciples ask Jesus about the man born blind, and how did Jesus respond?
According to the sermon, what was the common belief about suffering and sin during Jesus’ time? [04:59]
What did Jesus do for the blind man before talking about spiritual things? [16:13]
In the story of Job, what does God say about Job’s character before his suffering begins? (Job 1:6-8)

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus refused to assign blame for the man’s blindness and instead focused on God’s glory? [04:59]
The sermon mentions that suffering is not always a result of personal or generational sin. How does this challenge the way people often view hardship in their own lives or in others’? [07:48]
What does the story of Job teach us about the reasons behind suffering, and how does it relate to trusting God’s purposes? [20:22]
Why is it important to meet physical needs before addressing spiritual needs, according to Jesus’ example? [16:13]

Application Questions

The disciples wanted to debate the cause of the man’s suffering, but Jesus chose compassion and action. When you see someone struggling, do you tend to judge, explain, or help? What would it look like to respond like Jesus this week? [14:31]
The sermon warns against assuming we know why someone is suffering. Can you think of a time when you made a quick judgment about someone’s hardship? How could you approach similar situations differently now? [18:33]
Jesus met the blind man’s physical need as a doorway to spiritual transformation. Is there someone in your life whose practical needs you could meet as a way to show Christ’s love? What is one step you could take? [16:13]
The blind man obeyed Jesus’ instructions even though he didn’t understand everything. Is there an area in your life where God is asking you to take a step of faith or obedience, even if it doesn’t make sense? What’s holding you back? [44:16]
The man’s testimony was simple: “A man called Jesus told me what to do, and now I see.” How comfortable are you sharing your own story of what Jesus has done for you? What keeps you from sharing, and how could you practice sharing more simply and authentically? [49:40]
The sermon says that God’s purposes are often beyond our understanding. How do you respond when you don’t get answers to your “why” questions? What helps you trust God in those moments? [22:37]
Think about a current hardship or suffering in your life. How might God want to use it as a canvas for His glory? What would it look like to invite Him into that situation this week? [12:51]

Sermon Clips

“If God is good, why do bad things happen? Why does evil exist in the world? Trying to get bad things to happen to good people? That's all the way into the present. The easiest way for people to take for this present is to blame somebody. That's an actual reason, right? We always want to have things responsible for it. And if you can't blame somebody, you don't blame some things. And there are people today who still suggest that if there's something wrong with you in your life, if you're broke, if you're sick, if you're ill, you don't blame some people, it must be that you sinned or that you don't have your care. That's what keeps talking to teachers and kids. If you're not allowed in the pit of hell, that kid, if you're not well, it's because he doesn't have your own pace. Don't buy into that. You can't help.”

“It is the grace of God. If you've been saved by God, the only thing you brought to the temple was a sin that required the grace. Okay? So we've got to stop thinking of it. But that's the funny part we're serious about, is to mention, I believe, what they were saying, but what they were saying, is it even for you? You're not a sinner because you have sinned. You're a sinner because you have sinned. It's a sinner. It's a sinner. It's a sinner. It's a sinner you're brought into. You're a hidden place in life, the first renter that we have.”

“The only thing we've done here is to trust to the Lord who made us. That's all we've got. We're not going to get to the entrance here. Only God knows how to the entrance. Here's the only thing I can promise you, whatever it is, whatever it is, whatever it is, whatever it is, whatever it is, whatever it is, whatever it is, whatever it is, God will be glorified whatever it is, whatever it is, but let me tell you, the first time you see that, the first time you're not open to it, you know, I don't see it, I think we're glorifying it.”

“You can't tell somebody that's starving to death and expecting to hear the gospel and to understand the gospel if you don't see them first. You can't teach them as a great deal of pain and expect them to understand what you're talking about as you realize that to them first. We've got to deal with the physical need so we can deal with the spiritual need, because at the end of the day, we know it's all the spiritual need.”

“God's always, you know, I have, I preach things where you can understand God and there's no reason to think that God is paying bad people. But when it comes to cancer, if I'm God, I'll do it completely different. If I'm God, if I'm God, a Christian never gets cancer. There is always the cancer. I would do a couple of different things, and I don't want to stay to be more than you do. But I do know, I do know there's a joy in Jesus.”

“If you begin questioning how God is today and start looking for what God's been in and came down. So it means it is not always, it is not always. It can be, but it's not always. And you've got to be careful judging people. You've got to be careful judging someone at the heart. Sometimes, you know, we should judge them. We should, when we look at a person's heart, we should be able to judge the truth in our mouth. We're the right person. But I'm telling you, you've got to be caught in stepping to my heart, because you can't see that person's heart.”

“Any time you're looking at any Lambert's dream, it's possible because of God. And God would try to do something and that would be judged and wise intentions. And here's the truth of them. The truth to all is, God's intentions are not actually not our companies. You know, how do I deal while He's getting made money? And it's, and I'll tell you, I'm just a sovereign man. He's a sovereign man in what we're doing next. And I'm happy to hear what we're doing with that. I'm happy to hear what we're doing. Because you know what I'm doing? He said, He's never told me to die on a cross in case of me. Because of me. That's grace. That's what grace is.”

“God heals bodies, God heals marriages, God heals relationships, God heals God does all of us, and He does it supernaturally, and He does it without doctors. What does that God heal every man? That you can take your reason to do every man on a 30 -day life. The most over -closure, his part of spiritual evaluation is God is strapped by a human. You are here, and He is the number one son that you have. And you can see him. God is here, and he has all the problems we have about any kind of music that's going to hear these men.”

“Paul said, well, you've got to do what you've got to do, because you know what? To live in the today's news, to live in today's news, to live in today's news, to live in Christ and to die out of his name. Paul said, you can't do anything to me. Don't bother with me. You can't do anything to me that doesn't glorify my favor of God today. And that's the present we all need to do, too.”

“We're here to make disciples that will go and make disciples. That's what we are here to do. And I heard a preacher say in his name. This is my speech we don't know. This is what he is, this is what I do. But he said, Jesus gave his disciples four years. He said, three years ago. And the MPs have been told, and the MPs have been doing the table for staying inside, and he had a couple of years before. So he stood up and told him that he got in his church. The next thing he had was, that I think three years went out to the disciples group, and were now on mission trip, and then he came. That's bold. That's very bold, that decision. But you know what I think that's true? Our church is he, because he's got a lot of people from this day, because it's just a strong life.”

“Every time it goes into us, you come out of us. Every time God pulls something into us, we have to pull something into somebody. That's what we're supposed to do. So that's why we have to earn this to us. And I think all Christians need to have that urgent need. Because we're coming to a time when it's time to need help to work. If we're coming to a time when we're doing what we're proud to do, Jesus can't die on the cross. He's not that close to being able. All he has been able to do is make this happen. But the point is, we need to work on a time. He doesn't have to work on any of the time. Jesus tells us that we need to take every opportunity that's put in front of us when you take the man down.”

“If you don't love God and love people, you have to do that. I love God. Because you always have, you always have the best intentions for people. You always laugh about outcomes for people. You always smile about things. If you take care of the people of God, we'll call them your hearts. Tell them you understand.”

“And you know how many people who have sent me in churches? You know how many people who have sent me in churches? And Jesus called for Brindsay. Who do all of the things. But they do all of the stuff. And they started there. What is it that they've sent me in churches? They didn't do it. So godless and so much. And they cannot do it. And they do all of the things. And yet they forget Jesus. And they didn't know Jesus. And without Jesus, none of it is He makes Him preach. None of this works.”

“The important thing isn't how it works. The important thing is the American. The only important thing in that is the American Jew. Is this not changing the Americans? Is this not changing the Americans? It's not changing the American Americans? It would be a child that were saved in the Bible. The Bible constantly talks about people who are angry. People who are spirits in the body. And there are a lot of ways that things and fruits. A lot of people learn them. There are a lot of ways that we're supposed to eat. A lot of people learn them. The American thing you're supposed to do is be bad. Do you love that? Do you know what it is for? The American, the God, the Jesus means us.”

“The hardest part, the hardest part to tell them that about Jesus is to envision many of the same people together. You're prepared by that, so I'm free to do the best part. And you know what compared to me? You know what? But when you prepare yourself to a holy God, that is from a different. We've got to go to God and find it to do this. So we do need a favor. Everybody needs a favor, but we don't always know that you don't always know.”

“How is your way when it's obedient to go? How many of you know that that way that we're supposed to be doing out here is to this way you know something. You take the next step of obedience. You take the next step of obedience to the commander and everybody in there. If you think you're going to have this thing, there's nothing about the next step. I don't know what that next step is for you. You're going to talk about love and child, and you're talking about what that next step is for you. But that is your job is taking that next step of engagement.”

“It's easy to put together. The answer to the end, the land here is called Jesus. And they do not let them spread out and say, no, this is my life, or what? So I'll hold on to the end of the house and I'll have the same strength. We're back to what we'll be using. If I had to pick up one and four thousand top of that whole season, it would be so popular. That's what type of people. It's the most amazing year and most amazing year past in the entire Bible to try to pretend. It's the very first miracle we read about. It's the very first miracle Jesus ever performed. It's not a letter of what he came. It's not a publication of what we're out on it. He says, what does that say? You didn't know everybody gets to know why. So I was glad everybody gets to know why. But he says, I was like, this word's what? That was his act of being with me.”

“He gives us all the direction we need. He wants us to remember that you had called Jesus. You want us to trust in some other people that you had to call Jesus. And after that, I would keep it simple. You know, theology, you know, philosophy, you know, anything. He says it was a man named Jesus. These are what you told me to do. And we should be that simple and we should never cry with you. The problem is, the longer we've been a Christian, the harder that Jesus. The more we learn, the more we want to prove that people have that we know. And we get apologetic, we get the theology, and all that stuff. And we're all going to need to hear is Jesus. Amen. And we need to hear what Jesus did.”

“God is bound on a rescue mission in the form of Jesus Christ. He threw his clothes off. He's born of a virgin. He was a serious child. God brought the reason of Jesus. He didn't decide that he was convicted, murdered, fallen across, buried in a pool, and rose under there on the third day. Still trying to decide that he was going to recognize that he was saved as a right hand of the Father. And if you can so high, believe it, to talk to all that, tell it to you, then you can do it to him. It's called that he was born. It's called. It's called. He's the king of the Lord. It's called the children.”

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