188
Gospel Workers 1915
There are cases where God works decidedly by His divine power
in the restoration of health. But not all the sick are healed. Many are
laid away to sleep in Jesus. John on the Isle of Patmos was bidden to
write, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth:
Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their
works do follow them.” [
Revelation 14:13
.] From this we see that if
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persons are not raised to health, they should not, on this account, be
judged as wanting in faith.
We all desire immediate and direct answers to our prayers, and are
tempted to become discouraged when the answer is delayed or comes
in an unlooked-for form. But God is too wise and good to answer our
prayers always at just the time and in just the manner we desire. He
will do more and better for us than to accomplish all our wishes. And
because we can trust His wisdom and love, we should not ask Him to
concede to our will, but should seek to enter into and accomplish His
purpose. Our desires and interests should be lost in His will.
These experiences that test faith are for our benefit. By them it
is made manifest whether our faith is true and sincere, resting on the
word of God alone, or whether, depending on circumstances, it is
uncertain and changeable. Faith is strengthened by exercise. We must
let patience have its perfect work, remembering that there are precious
promises in the Scriptures for those who wait upon the Lord.
Not all understand these principles. Many who seek the Lord’s
healing mercy think that they must have a direct and immediate answer
to their prayers or their faith is defective. For this reason those who
are weakened by disease need to be counseled wisely, that they may
act with discretion. They should not disregard their duty to the friends
who may survive them, or neglect to employ nature’s agencies for the
restoration of health.
Often there is danger of error here. Believing that they will be
healed in answer to prayer, some fear to do anything that might seem to
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indicate a lack of faith. But they should not neglect to set their affairs
in order as they would desire to do if they expected to be removed
by death. Nor should they fear to utter words of encouragement or
counsel which at the parting hour they wish to speak to their loved
ones.