God's Power

by Joey Davis

Welcome to my new article! Well, it's not all new, it just looks and smells that way. After much speculation as to the title of my post-dungeon column, and many wonderful (and not-so wonderful) suggestions, I came up with what you see.

I plan for "Scribblings for the Soul" to pick up where "Echoes from the Basement" ended, as a weekly offering of ideas, devotionals, answered questions, and questioned answers.

I'm not sure "scribblings" is really a word, but that never stopped me before! I also hope you enjoy my most recent portrait without my mustache. The artist added some hair. and for that r am quite appreciative! . . .

. . "We don't understand, Lord. Why was this man born blind? Did he do something really bad, or did his parents?" The disciples were wrestling with a monster that lurks in our closets today. It's called "sin and suffering." From the fall of Adam, to Sodom and

Gomorrah, retribution for sin seemed swift, harsh, and. individualized. Their real question is, "Does God punish man by burdening him with afflictions?"

Jesus' answer is encouraging. "He was born this way so the power of God may be shown in him." He doesn't deny that suffering is in the world because of sin. Yet, His answer declares that God does not forget the afflicted, no matter what the affliction.

The power of God is shown two ways in the midst of affliction. First, the power of God had been shown in this man's life by the compassion others had shown him. Being unable to work because of his blindness, the townspeople felt a responsibility to share their means with him. There is no truer sign that God is at work than the act of compassion. In the midst of our own suffering, the compassion and love of others is a sign that God hasn't forgotten us.

Second. the power of God was shown in this man's life by the changing of his circumstances. After putting mud pies on his eyes and telling him to wash in the pool of Siloam the man received his sight. But that's not all! With his sight, he received a different life one like he had never experienced before. It seems that in our own trials the same thing occurs. Paul tells us that God works things together for good for those who love Him.

A woman who had lost her son once asked, "Where was God when my son died?" Her heart was broken and she doubted God's love and mercy. She asked it several times to many people until an elderly gentleman slowly and softly spoke these words, "I reckon He was sittin' in the same spot as He was when His son died." Even in affliction and suffering, God's power is evident.