So here I sit in my sweatpants. Not exactly the corporate casual attire we usually wear in the office. That’s because—due to sickness—I’ve been out of the office the past two days. I picked up a “bug” that my body has been battling. It’s not a big deal—far from what I experienced during the three times I’ve gone toe-to-toe with cancer. Any type of sickness, however, is an unwelcome guest. But it can also be just the bitter visitor we need.
King Hezekiah was afflicted with a sickness that made him “deathly ill” (Isaiah 38:1). Though he had been a good, godly king in Judah for many of his years (2 Kings 18:1-5), he failed by seeking help from Egypt instead of God Himself (Isaiah 31:1-9).
God brought some sacred sickness into Hezekiah’s life to help him get well spiritually. The steps the king took to get well were just what the doctor ordered:
• Prayer. His first response was to pray (Isaiah 38:2). He spent some time with God, pouring out his heart before Him.
• Humility. Hezekiah experienced a wake-up call—one that allowed him to see the brevity of life (2 Corinthians 5:1) and his own humble state (Isaiah 38:15). He dropped to his knees before his holy, sovereign God.
• Acceptance. He acknowledged that his good God had allowed his illness as a means of pointing him toward renewed service and life (Isaiah 38:16).
• Praise. He praised God for His faithfulness, placing his focus and faith firmly on the Great Healer of hearts and bodies (Isaiah 38:17-20).
God allows sickness in our lives for our good (Romans 8:28). We can grow in our relationship with Him as we call out to Him in prayer, acknowledge our human frailty, accept what He has allowed to take place, and praise Him even in our suffering (Job 1:21).
More:
Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this (John 11:4).
Next:
What has God taught you through sickness? Why is physical healing less important than spiritual growth?
lindagma on October 4, 2010 at 6:25 am
I’ve read three devotions this morning that deal with focusing on God instead of on self… our problems instead of blessings, our “to-do” list instead of God’s plan, our accomplishments instead of the work of God… hmmmm. Do you think maybe I’m getting a STRONG message.
tom felten on October 4, 2010 at 7:03 am
Hmmmm. Sounds like a fairly consistent theme, lindagma. 🙂 Living for Jesus is all about humbling ourselves before God (following Jesus’ example in Philippians 2:6-8), and seeking His will—not our own. Hope you have a great Monday doing just that!
setlikeflint on October 6, 2010 at 8:55 am
I have suffered with chronic illness/pain for several years. I am going to have to do soe soul searching on this one.
tom felten on October 6, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Setlikeflint, it sounds like you’ve been given a difficult “cross” to carry. But, from my own experience in an ongoing battle with cancer, I know that God has been teaching and perfecting you along the way. What has He taught you? How have you experienced James 1:2-4?
Invisible on October 11, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Just received heart breaking news and remembered this blog post. I just don’t understand it but have read and re-read this post trying to find some kind of comfort.
Just got a call from friends whose 18 year old son is currently in Army Basic Training with our son. We were meeting up with them next week for both of our sons graduation from BCT. Aaron collapsed during field training. He was found to have an undetected heart condition and is going into surgery. He’s only 18, just enlisted the same time as our son and has always wanted to join the military. He will be honorably discharged exactly 6 days before graduation.
it’s just really hard. If anyone prays a lot I would appreciate it if you would pray for him and his family.
Invisible on October 14, 2010 at 9:11 am
Even though I may not be godly enough to warrant prayer, he is. Maybe he and his family are trusting God and believing he has a plan but does that mean he doesn’t need prayer? If it was wrong to ask for prayer on here I apologize. I know it’s not what this site is about but I don’t know of anywhere else to ask people to pray. I don’t go to church or even know that many people who believe and pray.
If my unbelief keeps people from wanting to pray for him please forget who asked on his behalf and just remember him. I’m trying to believe that praying to God can actually make a difference. I’m trying to forget the years that I begged God to hear me and care but for some reason he didn’t. I’m trying to believe that he will listen because this young man does believe in him. His name is Aaron.
Pam D on October 19, 2010 at 2:50 pm
To invisible — I would like to encourage you to know, you are NOT invisible to the Lord. If you could see the tenderness in his eyes for you right now, your doubts would melt like snow. The bible tells us that Jesus is our Good Shepherd who will leave the 99 who are doing well to search for the lost 1 out of 100. When he finds that lost one, he does not require that they change or clean up their act before he takes them to his heart. He lifts that lost one up and carries them close to his heart. He says, come to me and let me give you living water. He is the living water that will fulfill your desire for Him. His love is unconditional…and reaching out to you right now. If we had to wait until we met some expectation, we would never make it. Jesus says, invite me in to sup with you. I will cleanse you and make you whole. I will increase your faith. He loves you and calls you just as you are today. Do you know the famous poem called “Footprints?” It talks about how someone who was burdened and lost felt all alone and like God was not hearing or listening. They asked God why there were two sets of footprints in the sand where they walked but when they were going through hard times there was only one set of footprints. “Where were you, Lord, when I needed you most?” the person cried. God answered, “When you see only one set of footprints, those were the times when I carried you.” Whatever heartaches you have gone through “invisible,” Jesus has been with you… we are not always aware. I encourage you to read and meditate on the psalms. You will find beautiful promises there that will show you God’s heart for you. Promises and assurances like, He is always thinking of you. He holds every one of your tears in a bottle. He wants to give you beauty for ashes. He will not despise a contrite heart but will cleanse you white as snow. We can’t always trust our feelings…you may not feel Him there in every moment, but the more you read His word and ask Him to show you those promises, the more you will understand His heart for you. The fact that you are asking prayer for your young friend shows me you have our Father’s Heart. When you read the psalms, put your name into the verses that speak to you…like this: “I [Your name] will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” “The Lord surrounds me [Your name] with his unfailing love.” And as you declare these truths, they can take root in your heart. Right now you have the lies of our enemy in your heart and you need to pluck those out and replace them with God’s truth in His word. Our enemy is lying to you with words like “God does not hear me,” “I am too bad for God to listen to me,” “God will never love me.” Take heart and listen to the words of God’s love letter written as if it was just for you. If you were the only person on earth, Jesus would have died just for you…because He loves you that much and more. His love is not limited by anything we have done… simply ask Him in and fill your heart with his word. I will pray for your friend… for peace, healing, strength and more. God knows your heart and longs over you with love.
smyrns on November 26, 2010 at 3:42 pm
.Invisible, You must find a Holy Bible and read, especially John 3:16 which says that God so loved the world that He gave his only son for us, that whosoever believes in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life. This is absolutely awesome. He did not say that it was for some, but for all of us, worldwide. And you are right there in the grouping. I pray that Aaron is a lot better . Thank God
tfedit on October 4, 2010 at 8:53 am
riri, it’s great to see your faith in God even as your medical issues remain not diagnosed. Thank you for your example of faith and hope! You are in my prayers.