The picture is of our pastor and his wife and mother and father. It was taken at his graduation from Seminary in 2003.From the Pastor:
John 11:4 “This sickness is not unto death.”
Week before last I was sick for four days. I ran a low grade fever and did not feel well. I never felt that my illness was life threatening. There are many names on our prayer list of people who are suffering from various illnesses. From the story of Lazarus and our Lord’s words we learn that there is a limit to sickness. The word “unto” in this verse is a great comfort for it contains the ultimate restraint from which sickness can not break free. Lazarus might pass through death, but death was not to be the ultimate end of this particular sickness. In all sickness, the Lord says to the waves of pain, “Hitherto shall ye go, but no further.” God's purpose in our sick times is not to destroy us but to instruct us and bring glory to His name. Let us be encouraged by the following:
1. We may be encouraged when we consider that the limit of our sicknesses is comprehensive, covering every aspect of it. God in His providence has limited the length, the intensity, the repetition, and effects of all our sicknesses. Each throbbing pain we feel is decreed, each sleepless hour predestined, each relapse commanded, each moment of depression foreknown, and each sanctifying result ordained of God. Nothing great or small escapes the ruling hand of the One who made man's tongue and numbers the hairs of our head.
2. We may be encouraged to know that this limit is wisely adjusted to suit our strength, to accomplish the divinely set purpose, and to match the grace of God which is sufficient for our every trial. Afflictions come but when they do each blow they deliver is carefully and accurately measured. God who made no mistakes in creating the heavens and the earth, commits no errors in measuring out the cure of our ailments that beset the soul and body. It is not possible for us to suffer too much nor be relieved too late.
3. We may be encouraged to know that the limit is tenderly appointed. “He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.” A mother’s heart cries, “Spare my child”; but no mother is more compassionate than our gracious God.
John 11:4 “This sickness is not unto death.”
Week before last I was sick for four days. I ran a low grade fever and did not feel well. I never felt that my illness was life threatening. There are many names on our prayer list of people who are suffering from various illnesses. From the story of Lazarus and our Lord’s words we learn that there is a limit to sickness. The word “unto” in this verse is a great comfort for it contains the ultimate restraint from which sickness can not break free. Lazarus might pass through death, but death was not to be the ultimate end of this particular sickness. In all sickness, the Lord says to the waves of pain, “Hitherto shall ye go, but no further.” God's purpose in our sick times is not to destroy us but to instruct us and bring glory to His name. Let us be encouraged by the following:
1. We may be encouraged when we consider that the limit of our sicknesses is comprehensive, covering every aspect of it. God in His providence has limited the length, the intensity, the repetition, and effects of all our sicknesses. Each throbbing pain we feel is decreed, each sleepless hour predestined, each relapse commanded, each moment of depression foreknown, and each sanctifying result ordained of God. Nothing great or small escapes the ruling hand of the One who made man's tongue and numbers the hairs of our head.
2. We may be encouraged to know that this limit is wisely adjusted to suit our strength, to accomplish the divinely set purpose, and to match the grace of God which is sufficient for our every trial. Afflictions come but when they do each blow they deliver is carefully and accurately measured. God who made no mistakes in creating the heavens and the earth, commits no errors in measuring out the cure of our ailments that beset the soul and body. It is not possible for us to suffer too much nor be relieved too late.
3. We may be encouraged to know that the limit is tenderly appointed. “He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.” A mother’s heart cries, “Spare my child”; but no mother is more compassionate than our gracious God.
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