25/08/2026
"THE GOD WHO OPENS BLIND EYES, DEAF EARS AND MAKES THE DUMB TO HEAR" (Isaiah 29:17-24). Beloved in Christ, it is another new day. We thank God for grace to see this new day. Yahweh continues to do His good works in the world. There is no one like Him in the world who knows and sees us better than we see and know ourselves. He is the miracle working God who does great wonders in our lives.
We meditate on the God who opens blind eyes, makes the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak. He is the God of new beginnings in the lives of suffering people in the world. What did Yahweh do to reconcile and also restore the fallen city of Jerusalem? What new things do we see God doing in the lives of people, tribes and nations in our time? He is always on the move to bring positive change and transformation.
The God who opens blind eyes, makes the lame to walk, deaf to hear and dumb to speak continues to do His work in the world. The prophet Isaiah presents a powerful picture of Yahweh as the God who restores what sin, suffering and human failure has broken down. The people of the city of Jerusalem were spiritually blind, deaf, dumb, stubborn and rebellious, yet God promised to do some new work in their lives and city.
“In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see”. God did transform their living conditions and also restored His lost, sinful and recalcitrant people. What is it that Yahweh did to reconcile and restore Jerusalem? He did not abandon the fallen city. Instead, He acted with mercy and compassion to bring renewal and regeneration of hope in a difficult and hopeless situation.
He opened blind eyes, enabled the deaf to hear, caused the humble and sad to rejoice, removed injustice and brought understanding to those who had gone astray. Restoration began when God changed their evil hearts and focused their minds back to Himself. He promised to bring about the physical and spiritual welfare, wellbeing and security of Judah and Jerusalem. This points beyond their physical healing to greater salvation and divine restoration.
This was fulfilled and accomplished by Jesus Christ, who brings light to those in darkness, peace and reconciliation between God and humanity. The message is relevant for us. We see God doing new things in the lives of some individuals, tribes and nations. He opens the eyes of His blind people to the truth, heals broken relationships, restores families, transforms sinners, gives hope to the discouraged, brings peace where there is conflict and raises people from despair and dead situations into purposeful living.
What appears to be impossible to human beings is never at all beyond God's power. The God who once restored Jerusalem brings life out of the ruins of cities and nations. We should reflect on the questions: What has become of the blind, deaf, dumb and spiritually silent in our communities? Are we willing to allow God to open our eyes to His truth, ears to His Word and mouths to proclaim His goodness?
We should not only seek God's blessings; we should seek the God who transforms and restores quality and meaningful life. The thief comes to steal, kill and to destroy lives but Jesus Christ has come that we have life and have it in abundance (John 10:10). Quality and meaningful life is in Him. Fullness of life and prosperity is in Him alone. He leads the way to the future the odds of life not withstanding.
Prayer: Merciful and Gracious God our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your love and mercy to miserable sinners. You do great and awesome things in our lives. Yahweh, we praise You because You are the God who opens blind eyes, makes the deaf hear and causes the dumb to speak. Look with compassion on our broken lives, families, churches, cities, communities and nations.
Where there is spiritual blindness, give us sight; where there is deafness to Your Word, give us hearing; where there is fear and silence, give us courage to speak Your truth. Lord, restore what sin has damaged, also reconcile what has been divided and renew what has become broken. Turn the hearts of those who have wandered away from You and give understanding to those who are spiritually confused.
Do something new as You work among Your people, tribes and nations. Bring healing, justice, peace and salvation. Help us recognise Your transforming hand and faithfully cooperate with Your purposes in our lives, homes and families. Grant us more of Your love, mercy and faithfulness in every endeavour. We pray these through the love and merits of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, Amen.
Rev Dr Abraham Akih
