Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – May 30, 2014
Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it. John 11:4
Sickness is an opportunity for God to be glorified and for observers to believe in Jesus, God’s Son. This perspective is easy to forget, because sickness is often a struggle. The physical body can be extremely demanding. It can writhe in pain, convulse from seizures, sweat from fever, ache from infection, and fatigue from fighting cancer. Some feel so badly, they are ready to go home to heaven. In the meantime, illness can be a hard, but meaningful moment for God’s glory.
Furthermore, the Lord uses sickness to draw people to each other and to Himself. A sick child causes mom and dad to come together on their knees on behalf of their precious one. Elderly parents are an invitation for adult children to spend time together and to work together for the betterment of their parent’s quality of life. Sickness can reveal a heart of giving or a heart of taking. As we serve the sick, those who need Jesus see His love in action.
“The strong spirit of a man sustains him in bodily pain or trouble, but a weak and broken spirit who can raise up or bear” (Proverbs 18:14, The Amplified Bible).
Are you struggling with sickness? If so, seek to experience the intimacy of God’s glory in the middle of your illness. Your afflictions can be eclipsed by His glory. Similar to the stamina of a mother caring for a needy child, His glory engulfs your soul with energy to endure chronic pain. The sweet spot of His sweet Spirit provides security in your sickness. Christ’s peace guards your heart and mind to get through intense health issues. God’s glory gives you hope and healing.
Is someone you love suffering from an illness? How can you glorify God in your love for them? Start with a simple prayer for the Holy Spirit to strengthen your sick friend by His grace and love. Share Scripture with them, such as Psalm 59:16-17 for comfort and peace. Your faith in God is a rock to those whose world is being rocked by adversity. Be available to support them by caring for their children or raising funds to pay for their medical bills. Prepared to give a reason for their hope in Him,God’s people love and serve like Jesus, glorifying Him.
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, use my illness or the sickness of a loved one to bring glory to my Savior Jesus Christ.
Related Readings: John 9:2-3; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 4:6; Colossians 4:6; Hebrews 1:3
Post/Tweet today: Your faith in God is a rock to those whose world is being rocked by adversity. #wisdomhunters
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© 2014 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.
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It would be good to add “listening” to God” to the ways of dealing with one’s own illness and “listening” to the sick as an important way of ministering to the ill. Thanksgiving for your devotional insights. They often speak to me.
This article was obviously written by a person who has no personal experience with chronic health issues. It is innocent in the extreme.
I have always felt that through the illnesses I have had I’ve been able to glorify my Lord and Savior, because there is a testimony of His greatness in it all. He gives me the daily strength and courage to fight in all circumstances. He is my rock and cornerstone.
Dear Rebecca~
Thank you for taking the time to reach out to us with your thought provoking comments. Let me just say that if you are dealing with a chronic illness or you have a loved one that is dealing with one, I can understand where the devotional may have felt “innocent in the extreme” to you. But Rebecca, please know that the intention was never to minimize what you or a loved one is going through. The words of this devotional were intended to only bring God’s Comfort and Hope in the midst of a sick one’s struggles.
We all have either dealt with a chronic illness or are sharing life with a loved one that is dealing with one. (Frankly, I am not sure what is worse ~ I know many parents that would gladly “take their child’s illness on” themselves if they could.)
While it is true that no illness may seem like a blessing at the time, our relationship with our Heavenly Father can be so intimate and personal, that the His blessings come! The Great Comforter, our Great Healer, is right there with us the whole time.
Rebecca, some of the sentences in the devotional speak of these blessings:
“…His Glory engulfs your soul with energy to endure chronic pain. The sweet spot of His Sweet Spirit provides security in your illness. Christ’s Peace guards your heart and mind to get through intense health issues. GOD’S GLORY GIVES YOU HOPE AND HEALING.”
Just a side note, Rebecca, we have a prayer ministry that would be happy to pray for you and/or a loved one if you are dealing with an illness or burden.
Thank you again, for contacting us. We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter and hope to hear from you again.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Dear John~
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. Yes, you are so right when you say “listening to God” is a part (and a HUGE part) of dealing with one’s illness and in your wise reminder that “listening to the sick” is an important way to minister to them.
We always love to hear from our fellow wisdom hunters and we realize that other readers on the blog are being blessed by these responses. Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
We look forward to hearing for you again.
Believing and trusting.