God's Word For Today

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What Do You Want?

Read John 4:1 through 5:47

Thirty-eight years is a long time. That’s how long the man at the pool of Bethesda had been waiting to be healed. It was long enough for him to forget why he was there.

The disappointment had accumulated through the years. It became easy to blame others for his situation. The pool had become his only answer, and his answer seemed blocked by lack of assistance and by the speed of others in better condition than he was in.

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6).

Jesus’ question was intended to shock the man. Jesus didn’t need to know. The man needed to know. Once he knew what he really wanted, his attention could be diverted from an empty source of healing to the Healer himself.

It does a person good to pause and ask, “What do I really want God to do?” This question makes us think about what we really want and directs us to the One who can really help us.

Prayer Suggestion: Lord, help me to know what I really want You to do and believe You for the answer.

Quicklook: John 5:1–9