March 31

From: Continual Burnt Offering: Daily Meditations By: Henry Allan Ironside

Psalm 41:3

“The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: Thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness” ―Psalms 41:3³The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness. (Psalm 41:3).

SICKNESS is one of the many consequences of sin. Believers’ bodies are as subject to illnesses as those of the unsaved, because we are still waiting for the redemption of the body (Rom. 8:23²³And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:23)), which we shall receive at our Lord’s return (Phil. 3:20, 21²⁰For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: ²¹Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:20‑21)). But we are encouraged to pray for physical health (James 5:16¹⁶Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16)), and when granted, whether with or without means such as medicines, and so forth, we should recognize all as coming from God Himself.

When tempted to think that God has forgotten and that we have very little to praise Him for, let us consider how sinful and disobedient we have often been and how patiently He has borne with us. As we reflect on these things, we will have a new conception of His love and grace.

“Oft have I sat in secret sighs

To feel my flesh decay;

Then groaned aloud, with frightened eyes

To view the tottering clay.

But I forbid my sorrows now.

Nor dares my flesh complain;

Diseases bring their profit too—

The joy o’ercomes the pain.”

—Isaac Watts.

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