That the Son of God may be Glorified

 

That the Son of God may be Glorified

by Marsha Iddings

John 11:3-5 Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick."

When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it."

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

"The sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." This sentence seemed to jump from the page at me as I read my Bible the other day.

Of course, we know that not all sickness ends on a happy note as Lazarus' did. But God can be glorified through the sickness of His children even when the physical outcome is not what we would desire.

I think of Chris Klicka, Home School Legal Defense lawyer, who suffered for 15 years with MS and then died from it. His story is filled with spiritual encouragement and is a glorifying tribute to God's faithfulness. He is now with his Lord in a body that is healed.

Joni Eareckson-Tada, who became paralyzed from the neck down due to a diving accident, is another glowing example of faith that brings glory to God in spite of sickness and suffering.

In reading their stories, I think the key to glorifying God through our sickness is a contentment in the circumstances that God has placed us in. It's coming to the realization that God is in sovereign control and that he has placed me in this circumstance for a purpose. That purpose is to bring glory to God by the way that I respond to my trials.

This is not an easy thing to do. I have failed many times over, but God seems to allow me a retest ever so often to help me learn this fine art of contentment.

Are you in a tough place right now, physically, financially or some other way? How can you respond to that situation in a way that would bring glory to God? What can you do to be content in that situation?