Disability & The Providence of God | John 9:1-7 | Pastor Mark Griffin

Church, if you will turn with me in your bibles to John chapter nine. John chapter nine verses one through seven. This is the word of the Lord in John chapter nine. As he, Jesus, 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. 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. 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 seen. Father, your word is good. You are good. Help us this this hour as we delve deep into this passage, as we delve deep into your very nature and character.

God, may we come away today more in love with you. Lord, as we hear your word proclaimed, may we behold your glory, but may we also taste and see that you are good. Father, help me. May I decrease and may you increase. Illuminate our hearts and our minds this afternoon, we pray.

In Jesus name, Amen. Amen. Church, throughout your life as a Christian, you will face circumstances and situations and realities that will tempt you to question the goodness of God. How could a loving God allow this pain or tragedy to occur? How could an all powerful God not prevent this disease or persecution or suffering?

Now for non Christians, the answer to these questions would be simply, God just doesn't exist. It's all about chance. Things happen. No reason. No explanation.

It's just the randomness of the universe. Or karma. Bad things happen because you must have done something bad in this life or your previous ones or even God may exist, but if he does, he certainly doesn't care about you or me. But for you Christian, today you can have an unshakable assurance not only in the power of God, in the absolute sovereignty of God, but also in his goodness and providential care for you. Because the Bible declares with a consistent and resounding voice that both of these facets of God are true.

His power and his goodness. And that is astonishingly demonstrated when we look at John chapter nine and the reality of disability. You see, many of the same questions about God and his character arise whether the subject is pain or disease or suffering or tragedy or death or disability. Why are people born blind or lame or deaf? Men, women and children who are missing arms or legs or who have three chromosomes when there should be two or who have developmental delays or genetic mutations or disorders.

Disability comes in many forms. Some people are born disabled. Some become disabled through sickness or accident or even because of evil and wickedness of others. Some disabilities can be readily observed while other forms are not. But church, the Bible doesn't shy away from addressing this difficult and maybe uncomfortable issue.

So neither should we. Because when we look at the scriptures, we see God's beautiful and purposeful design and disability and our faith will be deeply rooted in the unchangeable and invincible providence of God. And my desire for us all is that we not only recognize the truth of God's providence, but we recognize it as good. And as we begin, I I wanna define what I mean by God's providence since that word isn't in the Bible. The truth of it certainly is there, but not the exact word.

So by providence, what I mean is God's use of his absolute authority and power over all things to accomplish his purposes. In other words, God not only has the right and the ability to do all things, but he also has a plan and a reason for everything he does. So in this passage, John chapter nine, I want us to look at three things. The power of God in disability, the purpose of God in disability, and the presence of God in disability. So the power, the purpose and the presence of God.

And now, whether you are a disabled person or you are caring for someone who might be disabled or just someone who sees disability in our world and wonders where is God in these situations? The sermon is for you. And brother, sister, may the Lord open your eyes to behold wondrous things in his word today. And may he give you an unshakable hope and assurance as we rejoice in the all loving never ending providence of God in disability. So first, the power of God in disability.

The first step to understanding God's providence in John chapter nine is to understand God's power over disability. God is sovereign over disability and everything else. Meaning, he has both the right and the power over all things, over all of creation. Now, we all intuitively know this, but sometimes we need reminding about the sheer pervasiveness of God's sovereignty. Genesis one one.

You don't have to turn there. You all know this. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. John one one. In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God.

He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him and without him was not anything made that was made. Since God created all things, He has authority over all things to do that which He wills. And the Bible is quite literally saturated with the sovereignty of God. This entire sermon could be on this one point and still barely skim the surface of the ocean of God's sovereignty.

But for the sake of time today, I want us to look at three facets of his all encompassing sovereignty. God's sovereignty over nature, his sovereignty over Satan, which will both help us to understand his sovereignty over disability. We see God's sovereign power over nature. Just not just in his creating the universe but in its upholding and continued existence. Now, there are some who say that God, yes, he created the world but after that he left it alone to go through its normal evolutionary processes.

We call that theistic evolution. God is now hands off and nature takes over without his intervention or control. Wrong. Let's look at turn with me to Exodus chapter 14 to see this crystal clear. Exodus 14, we'll start at verse 21.

Stretched out his hand over the sea and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land and the waters were divided. And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. God commanded the wind and the wind obeyed the Lord. The waters obeyed the Lord and the ground itself obeyed the Lord. Now some might say, this is just an example of supernatural activities, miracles out of the ordinary.

Of course, God can work in miracles, but God is no less sovereign over miracles than he is over the ordinary, the everyday and the routine. This is amazingly clear when God speaks to Job in Job 38. Turn there just briefly with me. Job chapter 38, but starting at verse number 34. Remember, God is speaking to Job out of the whirlwind and he's asking Job, who are you?

Were you there when I created the world? And he continues that in Job 38. 38 verse 34. Can you lift up your voice to the clouds that a flood of waters may cover you? Can you send forth lightnings that they may go and say to you, here we are.

Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind? Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can tilt the water skins of the heavens? When the dust runs into a mass and the clods stick fast together, can you hunt the prey for the lion? Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions?

When they crouch in their dens or lie and wait in their thicket? Who provides for the raven its prey when its young ones cry to God for help and wonder about and wander about for lack of food? God has this pervasive sovereignty over everything. Whether it's out of the ordinary or seemingly routine, who controls the storm and the lightnings? God does.

Who makes it rain? God does. Who forms the clouds? Who gives animals their strength and instincts? Who provides food for the baby birds?

And according to Psalm one zero four, who causes even the individual blades of grass to grow and the plants to sprout? God does. God does it all. Nothing in nature, nothing in creation just happens. God is in control.

Now, in addition to nature, God is also sovereign over Satan. Satan has tremendous power in this world. He can deceive people. He can blind their eyes when the gospel is being preached. He can put people in prison and he can make them sick or diseased or tormented.

We do ourselves and others a profound disservice when we make light of Satan, when we turn him into a joke or a cartoon or a punchline. He is our enemy and he's a powerful enemy. Just a couple of verses to show this. Second Corinthians chapter four, you don't have to turn there. Second Corinthians four three through four says, and even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

In their case, the god of this world, Satan, has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God. Or Revelation chapter two verse 10, to the church in Smyrna. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison that you may be tested. And for ten days you will have tribulation.

Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life. Even in the gospels, we see this. In Luke 13, Jesus attributes a woman's disabled back to the power of Satan. He says in verse 16, after healing this woman, he says, and not all this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan bound for eighteen years be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day? The fact is, Satan does have power, great power in the world and we should not forget that.

But the greater fact is his power is limited. It's controlled and ultimately, it is subservient to God. Satan can only act to the extent that he is permitted by the Lord. In other words, he's like a dog on a leash in the hand of the Lord. He can only do what God allows him to do.

Let's look at this. Turn with me, if you will, to Job chapter one. Job chapter one beginning at verse number six. Job one verse six says, now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, from where have you come?

Satan answered the Lord and said, from going to and fro, on the earth and from walking up and down on it. And the Lord said to Satan, have you considered my servant Job? That there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil. Then Satan answered the Lord and said, does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has on every side?

You have blessed the work of his hands and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has and he will curse you to your face. And the Lord said to Satan, behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand. So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Couple of things to see here. God is ultimately and decisively in control. He put a hedge around Job. He protected Job and blessed the work of his hands. Satan had to appear before God.

He is subservient to God. He answers to God and then God in his wisdom permitted Satan to attack Job's family and possessions, but you still see the leash. Don't touch Job. Satan cannot do whatever he wants. He is bound by the will of the Lord.

Look at Job chapter two. Turn the page in verses three through six. Job two three through six. The second time Satan appears before the Lord and the Lord said to Satan, have you considered my servant Job? That there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil.

He still holds fast his integrity. Although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason. Then Satan answered the Lord and said, skin for skin. All that a man has he will give for his life, but stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh and he will curse you to your face. And the Lord said to Satan, behold, he is in your hand only spare his life.

We have to wrestle with this church. Look at what the Lord says. He still holds fast his integrity although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason. God is saying that it is not Satan, but himself who has ultimate power and control over Job's situation. Now you might say, how could a loving God do that?

Hang on. We're gonna get there in just a couple minutes. But for now, look here. Even in chapter two, Satan is still bound by that leash. God says, Job is in your hand but you cannot kill him.

In other words, this far you may go in no farther. The point the Bible is making is that we should not have this view of God and Satan as if they are equal adversaries or even close to it. Satan punches and God punches back. Satan makes a move and then God has to counter it. The two are squaring off in a boxing ring or to see who triumphs or they they're against each other in a chess match to see who can think farther ahead and strategize better.

Nothing could be further from the truth. To compare God and Satan is to compare an elephant with a flea. There is no comparison. They're not even on the same plane of reality. No matter how mean or hateful or terrorizing Satan functions in this world, he remains a slave to the authority and the power and the sovereignty of God, which leads us to God's sovereignty over disability, God's power in disability.

And church, may we rejoice over this power. Let's turn back to John chapter nine in our passage. John nine six through seven. I should tell you might want to put a finger in chapter nine of John because we're going to go, obviously, through many different parts of the Bible. John nine six through seven.

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. Jesus healed the man's blindness. Whether it's a withered arm, legs that can't walk, tongues that can't speak or eyes that cannot see.

The Bible is crystal clear that God has the authority and the power over any form of disability. Let me show you that again. Turn to Matthew chapter 15. Matthew 15 verse number 29. You know, there's a reason the gospels repeat over and over again Jesus healing people.

And this is very clear in Matthew fifteen twenty nine. Jesus went on from there and walked beside the Sea Of Galilee. And he went up on the mountain and sat down there. And great crowds came to him bringing with him the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others and they put them at his feet and he healed them. So that the crowd wondered when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled healthy, the lame walking and the blind seeing and they glorified the God of Israel.

We see throughout the Bible over and over that God with a word or a snap of a finger or a simple touch can heal any disability. That kind of power belongs to no one else. And this sovereignty of God is absolute. It just isn't it isn't just limited to healing a disabled person or responding to disability. No.

It extends all the way back to the root of that disability. Let's turn to Exodus chapter four. See this. Exodus chapter four, verse number 10. The Lord is commissioning Moses to go to pharaoh and Moses keeps on objecting to going.

And in verse 10, but Moses said to the Lord, oh my Lord, I am not eloquent either in the past or sent you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue. And then here it is. Then the Lord said to him, who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute or deaf or seen or blind? Is it not I the Lord?

God is ultimately in charge of whether or not a person is disabled. Full stop. Yes. We know through science how disabilities come about. We it could be having three instead of two of a certain chromosome.

Right? A retina or optic nerve may not have developed normally or the inner ear might be missing some bones. A genetic mutation could cause limbs not to grow or organs not to form. A disease or illness can permanently affect someone's sight or mobility or brain function. We can observe how disabilities form from a scientific perspective through looking at nature and creation and cells and DNA.

But who is sovereign over all of that, over all of nature, over all of creation? God is. He makes the grass to grow. He makes the rain to fall and he makes cells and genes and DNA to behave according to his sovereign will. Brothers and sisters, there is no such thing as a random chromosome.

There is no such thing as an accidental genetic mutation. With God, there are no accidents. This glorious truth extends even when there is some kind of outside influence that may play a role in disability. The drunk driver who causes a car crash and the victim is left permanently disabled. The unaware teenager who dives into a lake and becomes a or quadriplegic.

The military veteran who is blind or missing limbs because of an IED explosion or the baby whose brain function is permanently reduced because of physical abuse or even Satan's direct personal interference that bends a woman's back in half. In these situations, there is personal responsibility. There is volitional sin by people. There is negligence and there is evil. But above all of that and beyond all of that is the absolute unwavering, undiminished sovereignty of God.

Now does that mean that God sins or makes people sin? By no means. First John one five. You don't have to turn there. Just just We're gonna go quickly here.

First John one five says, God is light and in him no darkness at all. Or first John three five, just a couple chapters later. You know that he, Jesus appeared in order to take away sins and in him there is no sin. And then finally, James chapter one verses 13 through 15. Let no one say when he is tempted, I am being tempted by God.

For God cannot be tempted with evil and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lord and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. We are responsible for our sin, not God. Satan torments and afflicts and terrorizes, not God.

But ultimately, and perhaps we will never fully understand this outside of heaven, God is still in control. He alone can use sin sinlessly. Let's think about that. What is more comforting for you? Who do you want to have the final say in your life or in your disability?

It's all brought about by chance or randomness or accident or chaos or Satan did this and God was powerless to stop it. Or even so called free will. Men and women will act sinfully and God has no control in the matter because he delegated that power to us. No. Those explanations don't bring hope or comfort to anybody because they're not true.

Let's turn to James chapter four to see this blindingly clear. James chapter four starting at verse 13. James four thirteen says, come now, you who say tomorrow or today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit. Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life?

For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, if the Lord wills, we will live. Pause. If the Lord wills, you will live. If the Lord wills, your lungs will draw their next breath or your heart will pump its next beat or your brain will continue to send signals to your body.

If the Lord wills and if he doesn't, they won't. Continue. If the lord wills, we will live and do this or that. What is this or that? Everything.

Everything including disability no matter how it comes about is according to the Lord's will, his sovereign decree and that brothers and sisters is the most comforting reality in the universe. But you might ask, why is that reality comforting? We've seen that God has absolute authority and sovereignty over disability, but that just answers the first part of the question. He could still be all powerful and all sovereign d divinity yet delight in the afflictions of humans or he could be a God of wrath who meets out punishment indiscriminately or whimsically. Let's turn back to our passage in John chapter nine to see this.

See the answer to this. Why is God's sovereignty a good thing? John nine verses one through three. And 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. God has a purpose in disability and it's not arbitrary. It's not illogical or capricious. It is meaningful and it is good. You see the disciples interpreted the blind man's disability and his resulting poverty and suffering directly and only to sin.

Either the man's or his parents. Just like Job's three fair weather friends, they were operating on a direct causation rationale for trials and suffering both physical and mental. Someone must have sinned. That's the only explanation. God is punishing you, they said.

They could not conceive that God had a good purpose in the pain and in the disability that was beyond any specific sin. And much like some people today, they might say, God is there to make my life easier and pleasant and pain free. I'm a Christian. I go to church. I I I put money in the offering plate.

So I'm entitled to a life of health, wealth and prosperity. How dare God do this to me? Or even worse, some people might say, you must have some secret sin in your life. That is why this disability happened to you or your loved ones. That was the way the disciples were thinking, but Jesus wasn't confined to their false dichotomy, their either or scenario.

He said, it was not that this man sinned or his parents. He wasn't saying that the blind man or his parents were without sin. We know that Romans three twenty three, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But Jesus was saying, the reason for this man's blindness wasn't due to some specific sin. It wasn't a punishment because of anyone's wrongdoing.

He tells us that he tells his disciples, think differently. To reflect on God's sovereignty and God's character in a way they had never done before. It was not that this man sinned or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. God had a purpose for this man's blindness. More specifically, Jesus answered the question of why was this man born blind?

What is the reason? Not the lone fact of his blindness, but the fact that he was born that way. And he said that the man was born blind so that the works of God might be displayed in him. It wasn't an accident. It wasn't random chance and it wasn't the result of any specific sin.

God designed the man exactly as he wanted him so that God would display his glory, his power and his goodness in that man and to those around him and to us today. God works on so many different levels all at once. Jesus, yes, he healed the man demonstrating not only his divine nature and sovereignty, but also fulfilling old testament prophecy about the Messiah. Jesus revealed to the disciples more of the nature and character of the triune God. The crowds glorified God because of this miracle.

The Pharisees hearts were hardened and their hypocrisy was demonstrated. These and many more other ways that the works of God were displayed in that man. But the greatest work of God seen in this account comes at the very end of the chapter. Let's turn there. The man is excommunicated from the synagogue because he continued to glorify God and testify about the mighty works of Jesus.

Then in verses 35 through 38 of John chapter nine, we read, cast him out and having found him, he said, do you believe in the son of man? He answered, and who is he sir that I may believe in him? Jesus said to him, you have seen him and it is he who is speaking to you. He said, Lord, I believe. And he worshiped him.

The greatest work God did that day was the miracle of new birth. Jesus revealed himself to that man. The man believed and worship Christ and he was saved. The physical realities and the physical miracle were just a precursor and the metaphor to the greater spiritual realities and the greater spiritual miracle of salvation. Before Christ, we are all like that man.

We are spiritually blind. We were born that way. We were poor, wretched beggars. But God in his infinite mercy and kindness to us revealed Himself to us. He opened our eyes to truly see Him and to believe in Him unto eternal life.

And if you are a believer in Jesus Christ today, it is because God displayed his works in you so that we can say like that blind man, Lord, I believe. As Christians, whether it is disability or disease or even death, we can rest in the good purposes of a loving God. He displays his mighty works in us for his glory and our eternal good. Even in the most painful or frightening or difficult circumstances. Let's turn to Genesis chapter 50.

Genesis chapter 50 verse number 20. Joseph is speaking to his brothers after they beat him and sold him into slavery. After he was falsely accused and went to prison for years. After he was forgotten and left to die. Scripture reveals one of, if not the most profound and breathtaking statements in all of the Bible when God's sovereignty and his good providence.

Genesis 50 verse 20. As for you, you meant evil against me but God meant it for good to bring it about that many people should be kept alive as they are today. Not you meant it for evil and God turned it around for good. Not, you meant it for evil and God changed his plans and ended up using it for good anyway. No.

Same Hebrew word here, pastor Bena. You meant it for evil and God meant it for good. Joseph attributes everything that happened to him to God's good plan, to God's providence. You wanna see it again? Look at Genesis chapter 45, just a couple chapters earlier.

Genesis 45 starting at verse number seven. Joseph tells his brothers, and God sent me. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. Joseph's brothers did sell him.

They did send him to be a slave in Egypt, but far above their sin and wickedness, God was working. God was planning and God was sending Joseph. Joseph understood that even in life's worst moments or hardest seasons, he could rest in the arms of God who was working something beyond his wildest imagination. Now to finish with this point, let's turn to a familiar passage. Romans chapter eight.

The purpose of God and disability is good. Romans chapter eight starting at verse number 28. Most of you can probably recite this from memory. And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose. Now, if we stop there, we may distort the meaning of this passage because we may bring into it our definition of what is good, not God's.

So we have to keep going. Verse number 30 or 29. For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined, he also called. And those whom he called, he also justified.

And those whom he justified, he also glorified. The man born blind, the mighty works of God, the good purpose of God, that's right here in these verses. What are they? To be conformed into the image of his son. Why?

Those whom he predestined, he also called. Those whom he called, he also justified. Those whom he justified, he also glorified. Christian, that's the purpose of your disability or disease or suffering or anything else. Remember, God loves you.

He who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? All things. All things are for this good purpose. Your justification, your progressive sanctification as you are conformed into the image of Jesus Christ and ultimately your glorification in heaven. Unlimited joy, unquenchable peace, abounding pleasures in God for ever.

Lastly, in John chapter nine, we see the presence of God in disability. So we've the power of God in disability, the purpose of God and disability, and now the presence of God and disability. John chapter nine verse one. As Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. How often are the disabled unseen in our society, in our world?

Sometimes we might be uncomfortable around those with disabilities. We don't know what to say to him or her. Do I do I acknowledge the wheelchair? Do I do I ask them what they can see? How do I even communicate with someone who can't hear me or understanding?

We become so concerned about saying the wrong thing or being so uncomfortable or awkward that we choose not to engage at all. The Lord in his mercy presents us with an amazing alternative to anxious indecision or casual indifference when it comes to doing life with those who are disabled. It comes from your presence. Jesus looked and saw this disabled man, this beggar who offered nothing, who was an outcast in society, and Jesus approached him. He talked to him.

He touched him. He cared for him. And this is not just a one off for Christ. Throughout the gospels, we see over and over again that Jesus went out of his way to be with the disabled, to talk to them and encourage them and heal them and to simply be present with them. So act like Jesus.

Act like Jesus and seek out opportunities to be with those who may have a disability, to spend time with those you see. Who knows where the Lord's going to take that? You may be the Lord's tool by which this person witnesses and experiences the love of God. And also, this person may be God's tool for you to be blessed. I just lost my place.

Bear with me. Technology. Okay. Now remember, at the end of the chapter after the man was kicked out of the synagogue in verse 35, it says, Jesus heard that they had cast him out and having found him, he said, do you believe in the son of man? Jesus sought this man out.

He went looking for him until he found him. This shows us that God is with us from the beginning to the end, whether it's through a disability or it's healing, whether it's when others revile you or exclude you or abandon you, whether it's through the darkness or the unknown or the sorrow, God is with you. The last sentence of the gospel of Matthew, Matthew twenty eight twenty, and behold, I am with you always to the end of the age. God will never leave you. He will never forsake you.

He will be your comfort and he will be your strength. In disability, let second Corinthians twelve nine echo in your mind and your heart. Yeah. Let's let's turn there. Second Corinthians twelve nine.

See this. Remember, Paul was being tormented by the thorn in the flesh. We don't know what that is, but he was being tormented, crying out to God to take it away. Second Corinthians twelve nine. But God said to me, my grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness.

Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak then I am strong. Paul recognized that his strength to carry on did not come from himself, from within. It came from the Lord.

May we rely on that strength. May we rely on that comfort. May we rely on the presence of God in any and all circumstances. In closing, John chapter nine is an incredible display of God's power, His purpose, and His presence in disability. His amazing, wonderful, good providence is on display.

And not just in disability, but in any situation where you might be tempted to doubt the goodness of God or question His purposes and his promises. Now, briefly, I wanna speak to those who might be parents of a son or daughter with a disability or those who might be caring for someone who may be disabled. Look, the days can be long and hard and draining. Is it difficult caring for someone with a disability? Absolutely.

But there there will be times when you feel discouraged or lonely or even envious. But be encouraged today. The same promises of God that can be said for the disabled person, His power that is made perfect in weakness, His good purposes and His present and comfort, they all apply to you. And think about it. Think about this.

God in his infinite and absolute sovereignty chose you. He said, I want you. I'm entrusting the most vulnerable baby or child or adult to your good and loving care. And brother, sister, God will not ask you to do something without giving you the power by his spirit to do it. Now for everyone.

The providence of God is not meant to be a bludgeon that we use to hit people over the head. Toughen up. It's the providence of God. Stop crying. It's the providence of God.

Get over it. No. Church, the providence of God is not a cudgel that we wield, but it is a life preserver that we cling to. Hold on to it. Hold on to it with all your might so that when you are in that ocean of uncertainty, when the waves of doubt and despair are crashing against you, when you are in the middle of a storm and you don't know what to do, it's frightening.

You feel like you're going to drown. You can hold fast to the life preserver of God's good providence. And this is not some nihilistic giving up. This is not a passive consignment to the vagaries of whim or chance and it's not even acting on blind faith. No.

This is active. This resting in God's power and his goodness and his plan for your life is an act of trust and an act of surrender. It says, God, I have seen you work in my life, in the lives of those around me. And I have not only beheld your goodness in the bible, but I have seen it and experienced it for myself and I hold fast to it even when I can't see through the darkness or the tears or the pain. That's why John chapter nine is in the bible.

God is good all the time. And you, brother, sister, no matter what your circumstance, no matter your disability or problem or disease, you are designed with a purpose. You are fearfully and wonderfully made and you are loved. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor disease, nor blindness, nor autism, nor deformity, nor genetic mutation, nor spina bifida, nor Down syndrome, nor disability of any kind, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Let's pray.

Lord, we thank you. Lord, we thank you for your power, your purpose in the meeting that you have in disability. Lord, we thank you that you've given us a testimony in your word that we can cling to. We thank you that you revealed yourself to us, your good providence to us. So in life's most difficult moments when we are filled with questions that don't have easy answers, we can look to you and know that you are good and that you have purpose and meaning for our lives.

As you sanctify us, continue to sanctify us more. Make us fit for heaven so that we can glorify you forever. Lord God of all comfort, comfort those this day who are struggling, who have questions. Lord, may you comfort the the tired mom or dad or the tired caregiver. May you comfort the the weary person who is disabled.

Lord, may you comfort them and wrap your arms around them, envelop them, and speak your truth to them through your word. And may they cling to them. May they not be deceived by the lies of this devil. May they not be be be deceived or grow in despair or despondency, but may they look up to you in all things and may you satisfy them in Jesus Christ. It's in his name we pray.

Amen.