Do you ever ask, "God, where are you when I need you?" I have often asked that question, but like the disciples, I have been slow to learn.
My son-in-law is in the last stages of ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The brain cannot get messages to the muscles telling them to function. Gradually over the course of several years, the body loses the ability to move, leaving the person trapped in his body. Making matters worse, the individual still has a sound mind and can understand his surroundings.
During my time in God's Word this morning, He once again spoke His precious Word to me. It was as if He knew exactly what I needed to hear. "I am here! Don't be afraid" (John 6:20). These words were spoken to the disciples as they traveled across the Sea of Galilee on their way to Capernaum. They had been with Jesus the day before and witnessed the feeding of the five-thousand. That evening Jesus was alone praying when they started out across the sea. Four miles out to sea, a gale swept down upon them and the sea grew very rough. During the storm Jesus came to them walking on the water. Seeing that they were terrified, He called out to them, "I am here! Don't be afraid."
Jesus knew they were in the boat, and He knew the storm would occur. He called out to them in their distress reassuring them of His presence. Job says, "If He sends death to snatch someone away, who can stop Him? Who dares to ask Him, 'What are You doing?'" (Job 9:12,13)
We do not know God's purposes in suffering. Charles Spurgeon wisely stated, "I venture to say that the greatest earthly blessing that God can give to any of us is health, with the exception of sickness. Sickness has frequently been of more use to the saints of God than health has." The nineteenth-century Scottish pastor David Dickson wrote, "On the bed of sickness the Lord ripens his people for glory . . ." God will not only sanctify the sick through sickness, but He will also teach and encourage the healthy through the same means.
God works His purpose for the good of His people and the glory of Himself. One thing that He is teaching me is that He is sovereign over sickness and healing, and that God calls His people to care for the needy and afflicted.
