Sometimes yes, Sometimes no.

​March 8, 2020
Today’s devotion is based on John 5:2-6.  “Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, He said to him, ‘Do you want to be healed?’
I have often wondered why Jesus picked that man and not the others. God still operates the same way today.  He answers some prayers and seemingly allows other prayers to go unanswered.  In a way, it comforts me.  God has His reasons, even though He doesn’t choose to share them with me—just as Jesus had His reasons that day for only healing that man. 
That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop praying or trying to get God to change his “No” to a “Yes.” For God has said yes to us by healing our sin sickness through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus, our Savior. If he loved us enough to do that, I can bear his “No” now—because I have his “Yes” forever.
Please pray with me the prayer for today: Lord Jesus, help us to deal with Your “No” by remembering that you have said “Yes” to us for all time at the cross and empty tomb. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.