258
Selected Messages Book 2
Manuscript 159, 1899
(Manuscript, “The Privileges and Duties of a
Christian Physician”).
Surgery Not a Denial of Faith—It is our privilege to use every
God-appointed means in correspondence with our faith, and then trust
in God, when we have urged the promise. If there is need of a surgical
operation, and the physician is willing to undertake the case, it is not
a denial of faith to have the operation performed. After the patient
has committed his will to the will of God, let him trust, drawing nigh
to the Great Physician, the Mighty Healer, and giving himself up in
perfect trust. The Lord will honor his faith in the very manner He sees
[285]
is for His own name’s glory. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye
in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength”
(
Isaiah 26:3, 4
).—
Manuscript 67, 1899
(General Manuscript).
Jesus Guided Your Hands—Who has been by your side as you
have performed these critical operations? Who has kept you calm and
self-possessed in the crisis, giving you quick, sharp discernment, clear
eyesight, steady nerves, and skillful precision? The Lord Jesus has
sent His angel to your side to tell you what to do. A hand has been
laid upon your hand. Jesus, and not you, has guided the movements
of your instrument. At times you have realized this, and a wonderful
calmness has come over you. You dared not hurry, and yet you worked
rapidly, knowing that there was not a moment to lose. The Lord has
greatly blessed you.—
Testimonies for the Church 8:187, 188
(To the
medical superintendent of the Battle Creek Sanitarium, 1899).
As you looked to God in your critical operations, angels of God
were standing by your side, and their hands were seen as your
hand performing the work with an accuracy that made the behold-
ers surprised.—
Letter 73, 1899
(To the physician addressed in the
preceding item).
The Divine Watcher by the Side of the Physician—Christ is the
greatest medical missionary that ever lived. He never lost a case. He
understands how to give strength and guidance to the physicians in
this institution. He stands beside them as they perform their difficult
surgical operations. We know that this is so. He has saved lives that
might have been lost had the knife swerved a hair’s breadth. Angels
of God are constantly ministering to those for whom Christ has given
His life.