MERCY – IF SAINTS BECOME SICK

For indeed he was SICK almost unto death; but God had MERCY on him…” – Philippians 2:27a

As we pursue the Perfection of Health, we need to meditate on MERCY – IF SAINTS BECOME SICK: “For indeed he was SICK almost unto death; but God had MERCY on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow” (Phil.2:27). Paul wrote an impeccable testimonial on Epaphroditus: “my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick” (vv.25-26). Yet, “he was sick almost unto death, but God had mercy on him” (v.27a). That’s what any sick saint requires – MERCY! Mercy delivers from sickness and sorrow!

God did not create humanity with sickness or disease. Fundamentally, sickness came as judgement for sin. This does not however infer that every situation of sickness is because someone committed a specific sin or act of disobedience. There are records of individuals in the Bible who were sick, but not due to a specific sin they committed. Let’s learn from these.

Once upon a time, Hezekiah was critically sick: “In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live’” (2Kgs.20:1). Isaiah brought to King Hezekiah, a warning to prepare for death, but the king received strength and grace from God in the place of prayers. Unprepared or unwilling to die, he wept bitterly, saying “Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight” (2Kgs.20:3). God hears the prayers of the broken in heart, and gives health, length of days, and deliverance, as much and as long as is truly good for them. Eventually, the prophet prescribed “a lump of figs” as “medicine” to actualize the miracle of healing (2Kgs.20:7).

Daniel’s account of his sickness was obviously not due to any sin committed: “And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterward I arose and went about the king’s business. I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it” (Dan.8:27). The fainting and sickness seemed to be results of exhaustion from the rigour of spiritual exercises and distressing effects of the visions of desolations that were coming on the land, city, temple, and people. All he needed for recovery was take a rest.

Lazarus, Jesus’ intimate friend, was sick: “Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick” (Jh.11:1-2). It’s hard to explain how someone whom Jesus loved could be so sick! Lazarus eventually died and was buried for four days, until the Author of Life – the Resurrection and Life – rolled back the reign of death (Jh.11:38-44). We are not told why Lazarus was so sick to death, but many who “had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him” (Jh.11:45b).

The Bible reports, without any lengthy explanation, how a certain disciple named Tabitha or Dorcas “became sick and died” (Acts 9:37b). Alas, after her corpse had been washed and prepared for burial, death bowed to Peter’s prayer, and Dorcas was restored to life. Why the sickness, one wonders? But, the final testimony is that: “it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord” (Acts 9:42). God always ensures that all things work together for our good (Rom.8:28).

So, the Bible is not silent when it comes to sickness, disease and other infirmities. They are real! Although sin birthed sickness, not every situation of sickness is directly due to sin. The good news is that God also heals, delivers from death, and restores to life! Whether in life or in death, His Will is always the best!