While some insist that there is physical healing in the atonement, I believe that God allows sickness for various purposes. In the story of Job, it was to demonstrate that the faith He gave Job was stronger than pain and suffering. Even though this man complained and could not understand what was happening to him, he did not abandon God. When this test was over, his health was restored.
Sometimes affliction is a wake-up call regarding sin. It could be directly related to the sin (like recklessness leading to broken bones) or God’s way of getting our attention so He can speak to us about a sin that has permeated our lives.
However, there are two more reasons that God allows illness. One is that He often uses sickness to take His people home. It is a part of the end of life. The other is a surprise, and in my thinking, if I have to be sick, this is the reason that I would pick . . .
But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4)
Lazarus did die, but Jesus raised him from the dead and in doing that, He glorified the Giver of life.
I’ve known several people who were ill and became well with no other explanation except that God did something unusual. My husband had an incurable ailment requiring him to take enzymes to digest food. One Sunday our pastor asked those who were ill to come forward for prayer. My husband was an elder at the time so prayed for others that day, not even sharing his own need. However, God healed him and he has never had that ailment return. His doctor said that this was a miracle, and glorifies God with us.
Spurgeon says that God limits the time, manner, intensity, repetition, and effects of all our sicknesses. He knows and ordains even our sleepless nights, relapses, depression of spirit and the outcome. Nothing escapes the hand of the One who numbers the hairs of our head. This is a comfort to me. I know God is wise. I might not understand why He does what He does, but illness is never random.
He also says that God’s limits on illness are also adjusted to our strength, to the purpose God has for it, and to the grace He gives. Affliction is never haphazard, nor its intensity. God makes “no errors in measuring out the ingredients which compose the medicine of souls.”
For this reason, I am convinced that when I seek medical attention, I am wise to seek spiritual attention too. What is God trying to say to me when I am sick?
Illness has another divine limitation. God never afflicts us more than necessary. He wisely knows what is needed to deal with our sin. Spurgeon says (and I agree) that, “when we consider how hard-mouthed we are, it is a wonder that we are not driven with a sharper bit.”
Most of us instantly seek a return to good health when we are ill. It is certainly okay to do that, yet it would be a good idea to first say, “God, what is Your purpose in this? Does something need my attention? Am I disobeying You in ways that I have not recognized?”
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God, I am so thankful for good health, but notice that even a hint of something going amiss has me quickly running to the medicine cabinet or doing whatever I think will make me better. Yet You have also taught me to pray (and mean it) that if illness is Your plan for me, I will accept it. If not, and if this is just another tactic of the enemy to keep me from active service or whatever, then I trust You to take care of it.
As I grow older, I expect wear and tear will take its toll on my body. May I maintain an attitude of trust when this happens, knowing that You know all about it and can even use it in some way to bring glory to Yourself. May I cooperate, not complain or be anxious, but trust You to do in me whatever will bring great blessing to You.
Discouragement settled over me this morning even as I got out of bed. Spurgeon’s devotional words seemed just words. I tried My Utmost for His Highest and those words were also just words. Then I noticed the reading for tomorrow. Its title: “Are you discouraged in devotion?”
The author asks if I have ever heard Jesus say a hard word. Of course, but then I thought about yesterday’s word. It seemed so lovely, but already it is hard. He told me to begin a new habit. We had company last night and by the time we had dessert and tea, it was late. Going out to “meditate in the field” seemed too hard. I wanted to go to bed, tried to meditate there, but fell asleep. I did not get off to a good start in this new habit.
While this rich young man who came to Jesus was looking for salvation, we are alike in that he also found the words of Jesus very hard.
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. (Luke 18:22–23)
The devotional writing points out that Jesus put no pressure at all on this man. He did not plead, cajole or make him feel that he must do it. Instead, He spoke those words and said nothing.
This is exactly how I heard Him speaking to me about changing my evening routine. I listened. It sounded great. I understood exactly what He asked and even liked what I heard — but I didn’t do it. Like this young man, I came to Him full of desire and now feel thoroughly discouraged. Instead of His Word producing enthusiastic devotion, it produced nothing.
Jesus did not go after him. Instead, He let him go. The devotional writer says that the Lord knows that when once His word is heard, it will bear fruit sooner or later. Is that true? He says so, and says that when I do make up my mind to follow through on this particular issue, He will never cast my failures in my face. This encourages me, but I know that if left to myself, I cannot obey. In helplessness, I must rely on His Spirit to give me the motivation and follow-through for even this seemingly pleasant change.
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Lord, as I follow, You lead me through green pastures and beside still waters, but You also take me over mountain passes and up steep slopes. Changing a habit seems a simple thing, particularly when You are asking me to do something that in itself is lovely. Why then is it so difficult?
Part of this is about the inner resistance of my old nature to all that is good and godly. Part of it is inertia; old ways are easier that taking a higher road or a new path. Break my love of routine and move me in the direction You are asking me to take. I agree that what You ask is good, but my physical body needs to move beyond mere acquiescence to actual obedience.
In the evening, I’m usually too tired to do very much. Sometimes a book catches my attention. If the weather is nice, I might hop on my bike and go out for a tour of the neighborhood. However, far too often the television fills in those few hours after supper. Even though we watch something recorded and skip the commercials, and even though I might do some hand sewing at the same time, I often feel that I have wasted precious hours.
I’ve wanted this to change, but starting new habits is never easy. This morning, God draws me to this short segment of a verse in the Old Testament and challenges me with what Spurgeon has to say about it.
And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. . . . (Genesis 24:63)
First, Spurgeon points out that meditation is an admirable occupation. It is far better than spending those evening hours in “idle company, light reading and useless pastimes.” Rather, it is an aid to learning wisdom and certainly more profitable to my life and even to society than the uselessness of many other activities.
Meditation helps me draw closer to God. By dwelling on Him, His grace and all that He is teaching me, I can “extract real nutriment from the mental food gathered elsewhere.” Meditation can stamp the lessons of the day more deeply into my life. Also, when Jesus is the theme, meditation is far sweeter and more rejuvenating than even the best reading material and certainly superior to any form of entertainment.
Spurgeon also takes note of the place. In the field, there is much to notice, think about and offer food for thought. The sky, trees, birds, even insects all point to the Creator and His great wisdom. Nothing in my house can instruct me or refresh me like a wildflower or a wild rabbit. All of creation points to the glory of God. Not only that, being in the field is far more restful than being in a recliner in the living room.
Last but not least is the time of day. When sunset draws an end to each day, very often the color in the clouds fills me with awe. The glory of the evening sky and the first few twinkling stars lift my heart from the toils and burdens of the day. Evening marks closure and putting aside all that has bothered or perplexed. It reminds me too that Jesus said, “It is finished.”
I live in a city. Fields require a car ride, although nearby parks are a short walk from my home. Many evenings offer distracting weather, but some do not. I have no excuses. I could be like Isaac and go to the fields and meditate toward evening. And as Spurgeon says, if I cannot spare an hour to walk in the field in the evening, the Lord is in the town too. He will meet with me in my home, or my backyard, or out in a crowded street — if I discipline myself to go forth and meet Him.
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Jesus, old habits are like old shoes, difficult to toss because of their comfort. Yet this verse challenges me to start a new habit, one that would not require any “breaking in” like new shoes. Instead, it means simply doing it. I am challenged. Help me forget the books, sewing, television, other idle time-wasting and spend my evening hours with You, if not in a field, at least apart from all the old and tired activities that have no lasting value. May this be an expression of my love for You as well, not for any profit it might give me, but more for the joy it brings to Your heart.
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This week I read about Madam Guyon, a Christian woman who lived in France during the reign of Louis XIV. She suffered abusive treatment and incredible losses during her life yet was able to say, “Thou hast ordered these things, O my God, for my salvation! In goodness Thou hast afflicted me. Enlightened by the result, I have since clearly seen, that these dealings of Thy providence were necessary, in order to make me die to my vain and haughty nature.”
This week I’ve also talked with Christians who have enjoyed great prosperity and protection. From all appearances, it seems as if they have never suffered at all. Yet I know they too have had affliction in their lives as God works to make them more like Jesus.
These bring mixed emotions. In me, that is in my flesh, I would like the sweet attitude of Madam Guyon without any of the losses she experienced. I would like the prosperity without the affliction. But then I would not experience God’s power to deliver.
Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people . . . and have heard their cry. . . . I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them. . . .” (Exodus 3:7–8)
God delivers in several ways. As one described it, sometimes He removes the boulders from life’s stream, but sometimes He just gives us deeper water.
While most of us would like the rocks removed, learning how to rise above them is what produces the attitude of people like Madam Guyon. For her and for many, there is a measure of deliverance in just knowing that God knows. He understands the way that I take. He knows the state of my soul, the pull of the flesh and the spirit’s desire to be like Jesus. I can come to Him and He not only acknowledges all that is happening, He also knows what to do about it.
As Spurgeon puts it, God is my Physician and I am His patient. I don’t need to analyze the disease, the symptoms or even the medicine He dispenses. This is His work. Mine is to trust and His is to prescribe. Even when I cannot read the handwriting of His prescription, I can rely on His skill, take the medicine and know that He will use it to heal me.
God is also my Master. He knows what He is doing, but I, as His servant, need to trust His knowledge, not judge or second-guess Him. “The servant knows not what his lord does.” As His servant, my role is to take orders, trusting Him with the reasons and the results.
In the same way, an architect does not explain his plans to every carpenter on the job nor does a potter explain his design to the clay on the wheel. The designer knows his intent. I cannot guess God’s pattern any more than a brush can figure out what the artist is painting. Instead, I must let Him do His work without protest. He keeps me in a need-to-know state to help my faith mature.
Another analogy is that Jesus Christ is the Head and I am part of the body. The head makes the plans, does the thinking. Body parts do not have brains. In a healthy body, they simply do as they are told. With these examples, I understand that I must not compare myself to other patients, other servants, other works of art. He has purpose for my life and I must trust Him with that, not wish I were like someone else.
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Thank You God for these analogies about childlike trust. You have a plan for my life. Now and then I catch glimpses of it, but for the most part, I’m more like the little one in the back seat of the family car. I could keep asking, “Are we there yet?” but You would be happier if I trusted You concerning the route we are taking and Your timing for the trip. You want me to trust and obey You — then simply enjoy the ride.
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With all our rain, we have enjoyed spectacular rainbows. Some are double and a full arc. One shone in the western sky after a thundershower at dawn. During the past year I’ve seen one rainbow that had no sky in the background; it was below the clouds and mountain tops. Years ago, our family saw a silver bow created at night by the light of the moon after a storm. So beautiful!
As a quilter, I note the rainbow colors as they move from deep purple to bright yellow. This is like the color wheel upon which artists, designers and quilters base their combinations. All this is from God, but when He created the rainbow, it had an even greater purpose than signaling the end of a storm or inspiring artists.
And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.” (Genesis 9:12–17)
Today’s devotional reading focuses on the parts of this passage that declare it is not up to me to look at the rainbow and remember God’s covenant and promise. Instead, it is God who looks and remembers the promises He has made. While He does not need a reminder for that, we need to know that a rainbow was created as a sign or reminder for us — so we know that He is watching and remembering. With even something as ordinary as rainfall, He is thinking about His covenant and His promise.
There are other promises like this one. When the Israelites were in bondage in Egypt and God sent plagues to convince Pharaoh to let them go, the last one was the most terrible. An angel of death would pass over the land, but if anyone (including the Egyptians) killed a flawless lamb and put the blood of the lamb all around the door of their homes, the firstborn in that home would be spared. Notice the wording:
The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt. (Exodus 12:13)
God did not tell the people to look at the blood and be saved. He said that they would be saved when He looked at the blood.
Of course this prefigures the salvation that is in the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. His blood was shed for my sin, and while looking at Jesus gives me great joy and comfort, my salvation is about God looking at Jesus and seeing that blood that covers all my transgressions.
God cannot judge sin when He looks at His Son because that sin has already been punished in Him. Nor does He make that incredible salvation dependent upon me and my looking. Faith is required to enter into His saving grace, but salvation was and is secured by God alone.
I need to remember this covenant of grace and am able to do so because of His grace to me, but my safety and security as His child who has escaped the angel of death is because God looks at the blood of His Son and passes over me. I am not and will not be destroyed, not because of what I do, but because of what God sees.
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Father, sometimes Your Spirit fills me with such a deep sense of my sinfulness that I wonder how You could possibly continue to love me and keep Your promises to take me to glory. Selfish ideas and motives seem to be stronger with each day, yet today You say again, “Salvation is not about you.” I am saved because of what Jesus has done. My life is hid in His so that when You look my direction, You see Him and His blood shed for me.
Thank You for the image of the lamb and the blood on the doorposts. Thank You also for the more visible image in the sky after a rain. The next time I see a rainbow, I will think of Your covenant with Noah and that You will not judge the earth with water as You did then, but please remind me that as I gaze at this beautiful bow in the sky, You are looking at it also — and remembering.
In our part of the world, it rained so much last month that when I went out, I didn’t know whether to take an umbrella or a canoe! August is a most welcome month as it brings more settled weather. It hasn’t rained for at least 36 hours and the sky today is clear.
Storms are often used in the Bible as a metaphor for the trials of life. However, what the disciples experienced on the sea of Galilee with Jesus was no metaphor.
And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”(Matthew 8:23–27)
Today’s devotional reading points out that for parts of life there are no storm, no crisis, and during those times, we do our human best. However, when a crisis arises, we instantly reveal upon whom we rely.
This is so true. If my trust in God only goes up to a certain point, trouble will produce those basic panic prayers like those prayed by people who do not know God. This reveals that I am not really trusting that Jesus controls the world and the affairs of my life. Instead, for me He seems to be asleep and I can see nothing but high waves ahead. If I am relying on myself and suddenly find that I have no resources, I panic. I see others do the same, just as the disciples did.
Jesus said that they had little faith, yet they did not stay that way. As they walked with Him, their faith increased. It is the same for His people today. Through His Word and our experiences with Him, our faith grows. As I learn to worship and trust Him, then a crisis ought to reveal that even when I come to a breaking point, my confidence in Him remains firm.
The devotional says God expects His children to be so confident in Him that in any crisis we are the reliable ones. That means that we not only give joy to Him because of our faith, but we also become an anchor for others. Even if my faith in God is not shared by someone else who is in trouble, I’ve had people say that they like to hang around me because, “you are so stable.”
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Lord, I know You are my anchor in storms and the solid rock upon which I stand. I’m totally astounded and humbled that others would see me as a solid place for them when they panic. This is so amazing because when I am relying on You the most, I am also the most deeply aware of my weaknesses. Because of You, even when I feel like a useless pile of mush, others can see me as their source of stability. You again impress me with the importance of trusting You — all the time, no matter what happens, and particularly during storms.
John Piper calls it “future grace.” This refers to the promises of God that will happen in the future, but that give His people encouragement for the present time. This amazing grace is expressed in these verses.
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:16–17)
Christians are sometimes accused of a “pie in the sky” religion that gets us thinking about heaven to the point that we are no earthly good. There is nothing like that expressed in Scripture. As the above verses say, our eternal comfort and good hope have a purpose; it establishes our hearts so that we can speak and do good things.
This is practical. Today I woke up with a sore throat and feeling like I didn’t want to get out of bed. Thoughts of God began drifting into my mind, thoughts that came from Him. I know this because if left to my own, I’d quickly succumb to self-pity. I got up and ready for the day, then began reading the Bible. I was reminded of how I was lost in sin and am now blessed by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
As I read these verses in 2 Thessalonians, I thought about the promises of God for eternity — where there will be no more tears, sickness or sorrow. A smile formed. Those aches didn’t vanish, but they didn’t seem so pressing. Instead of thinking about myself, the Holy Spirit put other ideas in my head — thoughts of the goodness of God and thoughts about how I can honor Him today.
Simple? Yes, but important. When I am thinking about myself, this is continually reflected in my words, such as complaining, bragging, or whatever else points to me. When I’m thinking about God — and this happens because of His grace — then I can speak to the needs and interests of others, even telling them or showing them the love of God, a totally different approach to life.
The joy and promise of some day being with Jesus fills my head with thanksgiving and worship. Those thoughts produce different words and actions than thinking about the pains and pressures of life. This is what the Bible says they should do. That means faith is never pie-in-the-sky. Instead, it puts my head in the right place. Besides comfort, the love and hope that comes through grace is entirely practical.
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God, You are amazing. Just thinking about heaven and the delights of eternal life that You promise has given me great encouragement for this day. I’m not sure what You have in mind, but I thank You for putting my mind on You. I know that no matter what the day will bring, You will take care of my body. Thank You for also taking care of my heart. Instead of being wrapped up feeling sorry for myself, You have wrapped me in Your grace and comfort!
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