God is often found in the midst of suffering, disruption, and destruction. Isaiah prophesied that amidst all the misery Israel faced, there would be hope for a bright future, new life, renewal, and greater spiritual maturity. People would begin to understand and praise God on a deeper level and be more open to spiritual instruction. We can look to our own lives with its pain and struggles for examples of spiritual growth and conversion.

When the two blind men asked Jesus to heal them, he asked them if they believed that he could do it. That is crucial - the amount of faith that we have shapes how much God can do for us. It cannot simply be a case of approaching God only because everything else has failed. Faith has to burn in our hearts. Jesus granted their request - but he said that they would be healed 'according to their faith'. Little faith, little healing; great faith, great healing! In healing, faith is always the most crucial part of the encounter with God. How much faith do we really have that God can and will work miracles in our lives?