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The Ministry of Healing
able to endure the trials that would come upon them should they
live. He knows whether their lives would be a blessing or a curse to
themselves and to the world. This is one reason why, while present-
ing our petitions with earnestness, we should say, “Nevertheless not
my will, but Thine, be done.”
Luke 22:42
. Jesus added these words
of submission to the wisdom and will of God when in the Garden
of Gethsemane He pleaded, “O My Father, if it be possible, let this
cup pass from Me.”
Matthew 26:39
. And if they were appropriate
for Him, the Son of God, how much more are they becoming on the
lips of finite, erring mortals!
The consistent course is to commit our desires to our all-wise
heavenly Father, and then, in perfect confidence, trust all to Him.
We know that God hears us if we ask according to His will. But
to press our petitions without a submissive spirit is not right; our
prayers must take the form, not of command, but of intercession.
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
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
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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.