Dear Christian friends:

"Why am I deaf? God is almighty and He has control over sickness and health. Why did He let me become deaf?" Many of you have asked that question.

We don't know all the reasons why God let you become deaf, but we do know one thing. You can honor God and give glory to Him by your deafness. This we see from the deaf man in our text. Our text shows that God received much glory through one deaf man.

God used that deaf man to lead many people to honor and praise Him. God also wants to use the deaf today to bring honor and glory to His name. This should give much encouragement to you to serve God. Many deaf quickly give up and use their handicap as an excuse to do little or nothing for God.

So this morning let us consider the theme:


In our text we see how Jesus healed a deaf man and made him speak plainly. After Jesus had done this wonderful work many people were very surprised, and they gave glory and honor to God, saying, "He has done everything well, He even makes the deaf hear and speak." (Make 7:37)

Jesus used this deaf man to show His great love and power, that He is the Son of God and Savior of the world.

One day Jesus and His disciples walked passed a blind man. The disciples asked, "Who sinned? This man or his parents because he was born blind?" Jesus answered neither this man sinned nor his parents, but he was born blind that the works of God might be made manifest in him." (John 9:1-3) And then Jesus healed the blind man to show God's wonderful love and power.

Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha of Bethany: "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified (honored) by it. (John 11:3-4) When the people saw Lazarus alive they gave glory to God and many believed in Jesus.

So, also God wants to use you to show his love and power to many hearing people. But you ask, "How? Will God open my ears?" He can if He wants to. But that is not the only way God wants to use the deaf. God sends ministers and teachers to the deaf so they can learn His Word about Jesus and believe and change from sin to good works.

That is a wonderful work of God in the hearts and lives of the deaf. And when a deaf person with all of his problems and handicaps believes in Jesus and serves God, many hearing people are surprised and impressed and they give praise to God because He has done such wonderful things for the deaf.

Many hearing people have told me that they were very impressed by deaf people who have good spirit and bravely work hard to serve God in their church and where they work. Maybe you do not realize how much you can influence other people. You can. God wants to use you to honor His name and to show His love and power to the hearing people.

So don't feel displeased because you happen to be deaf. Don't use your handicap as an excuse to be ignorant or lazy as some deaf do. Ask God to forgive your sins and fears of the past for Jesus' sake. Ask Him to give you a new heart and a new spirit so that you will bravely and cheerfully thank Him and love Him and serve. Then many people will see God's power in changing you and using you for His glory.

Herman Gockel was a pastor in Ohio. He lost his voice many years ago and could not preach any more. Did he give up? Did he complain and say, "I can't do anything anymore." Perhaps he felt like that for a while. But God helped him to continue. He started writing dramas for TV. He is the man who began our Synod's, "This Is The Life" programs. Although he lost his voice he continued to tell the good news of God's love in Jesus by writing dramas for TV.

The Holy Spirit can do wonderful things with the deaf and make them a very strong and successful church. He will do it, too, if you will humbly hear His promises. I know some deaf whom God is using in very wonderful ways. They are giving glory to His name! I think you know some, too!

Amen.