The Works of God

I appreciate when my pastors use disability in ways that illuminate what God has done for us.

As he prayed to God on Saturday evening, Pastor Sam referenced Paul’s temporary blindness, and why:

Paul was struck blind so that he could see you.

We know Paul was struck blind by God temporarily on the road to Damascus:  Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. (Acts 9:8 ESV)

So what was Pastor Sam referring to in referencing sight?

. . .that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. . . (Ephesians 1:17-18 ESV)

Until he was visited by Jesus on the road to Damascus (with eyes that worked just fine), he couldn’t see God!  But following his blindness, God gave him what became a significant portion of our Bible.  With God’s help, that Bible helps us to see God!

Some have suggested that Paul had trouble with his vision through the rest of his life: See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. (Galatians 6:11 ESV)

But his heart eyes never appear to have dimmed, sustaining him to the very end:

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8 ESV)

And that’s the kind of vision we should all long to have!