“This sickness is not unto death.” — John 11:4
From our Lord’s words we learn that there is a limit to sickness. Here is an“unto” within which its ultimate end is restrained, and beyond which itcannot go. Lazarus might pass through death, but death was not to be theultimatum of his sickness. In all sickness, the Lord saith to the waves ofpain, “Hitherto shall ye go, but no further.” His fixed purpose is not thedestruction, but the instruction of His people. Wisdom hangs up thethermometer at the furnace mouth, and regulates the heat.
time, manner, intensity, repetition, and effects of all oursicknesses; each throb is decreed, each sleepless hour predestinated, eachrelapse ordained, each depression of spirit foreknown, and each sanctifyingresult eternally purposed. Nothing great or small escapes the ordaininghand of Him who numbers the hairs of our head.
This limit is wisely adjusted to our strength, to the end designed, and tothe grace apportioned. Affliction comes not at haphazard — the weight ofevery stroke of the rod is accurately measured. He who made no mistakesin balancing the clouds and meting out the heavens, commits no errors inmeasuring out the ingredients which compose the medicine of souls. Wecannot suffer too much nor be relieved too late.
The limit is tenderly appointed. The knife of the heavenly Surgeon nevercuts deeper than is absolutely necessary. “He doth not afflict willingly,nor grieve the children of men.” A mother’s heart cries, “Spare my child”;but no mother is more compassionate than our gracious God. When weconsider how hard-mouthed we are, it is a wonder that we are not drivenwith a sharper bit. The thought is full of consolation, that He who hasfixed the bounds of our habitation, has also fixed the bounds of ourtribulation.
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Producer: Todd Adkins
Voice Artist: Ian Cullen