Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai.

John 9, 1 through 3. As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. Welcome to the Bridgeway Christian Church Daily Advent Devotional for Tuesday, December 3rd.

My name is Rob Joseph, and I serve on the worship team at Bridgeway. Today, I'm going to talk about hope in waiting. The disciples sought a reason, a cause, a justification for the man's affliction.

Jesus' response was profound. He didn't assign blame or offer a theological explanation. Instead, he shifted the focus to God's purpose and glory.

Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. In the simple yet profound statement, Jesus reveals a truth that often escapes our understanding. There's divine purpose in waiting.

It's a common admonition to wait for God's timing, for his forming of our character, his perfect plan. Easier said than done. The man born blind had to wait a lifetime for his sight.

Maybe he gave up hope. Maybe he never had hope. Yet in that waiting, in his years of suffering and going without, God is preparing a miraculous display of his power and love.

Not just for the man or his community, or even for those who heard the story in surrounding communities, but for the millions who have heard of this miracle since then, including you and me. Waiting can be a painful experience. It can feel like a void, a blank space in our lives where we're stuck on pause.

We may question why we or those around us have to endure such delay, pain, injustice, and uncertainty. Most of life is filled with this waiting that at times leaves us at best uncomfortable, and more likely hopeless. This is the hardest part of waiting for me.

What if my loved one is never healed? What if my relationship is never mended? But as Christ followers, we have reason to hope. When we're faced with waiting, let's remember that God is working, even when we can't see it. He is preparing something extraordinary, something that will glorify his name.

Healing may not come. Outcomes may be different than we'd like. Suffering may not cease.

But God's glory is displayed through his people. As we navigate our own seasons of waiting, let us cultivate patience and trust. Let's surrender our desires to God's divine plan, following the example of our Rabbi Jesus.

Let us embrace the quiet moments, the silent spaces, as opportunities to find consolation in God's glory and deepening intimacy with our creator. God is never late. His timing is perfect.

So let's wait with hope, not dependent on a certain outcome, except to experience, witness, and even partake in the glory of God. Let's wait with faith, trusting in God's promise. And let us wait with peace, knowing his glory knows no bounds.