The trial of your husband’s foot brings both of you into the school of dependence upon our gracious God, and it is there that we learn lessons nowhere else obtained. The power of the Lord Christ is ever a power to heal, and whether the affliction be gout or some other malady, the Great Physician is still near to those who cry to Him. Yet mark this, our Lord’s healings in the days of His flesh often came in unexpected ways and with words that searched the soul before they restored the body. Think of the man sick of the palsy, let down through the roof, to whom Jesus first said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you,” before He bade him rise and walk. It may be that the Lord designs, through this present pain and lameness, to draw you both nearer to Himself, to give a deeper sense of His pardoning love, and to make the healing, when it comes, doubly sweet as a token of His covenant faithfulness. Therefore, while we plead for the removal of this trouble, let us also seek that any spiritual lethargy or hidden sin be brought to light and forgiven, for He still delights to say, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”
You have thought it gout, but wisdom teaches us to use means as well as to pray. The beloved physician Luke reminds us that the Lord works through remedies as truly as by His bare word. Seek such help as providence affords, and while you do, cast all your care upon Him who cares for you. The Husband of His people knows our frame and remembers that we are dust. He who led Israel through the wilderness and healed their diseases has not lost His tender pity. In Peter’s house, where the fever raged, Jesus came and lifted the woman up; in your house He is present by His Spirit, and He is able to lift up your husband and restore his strength. Let your faith lay hold upon Him, not dictating the manner or the moment, but resting in His wise and loving will. When we cannot comprehend the delay, we may still trust the love that has given us the greater gift of His Son; and if He so loved us as to die for us, He will withhold no good thing in due season.
Be watchful, too, against the natural tendency to fret or to grow impatient under the rod. The Lord’s chastisements are not punishments for His own children, but fatherly corrections meant to produce the peaceable fruit of righteousness. He breaks no hearts needlessly, and when He wounds, His hands make whole again. The tree of life stands on either side of the river in the celestial city, its leaves unfailing for the healing of the nations; even now, by faith, we may pluck those leaves and find balm for body and soul. The power of the Lord is present to heal, and while we pray for the immediate easing of pain and restoration of strength, we would not forget that the fullest healing is already ours in the covenant of grace. The day is coming when the inhabitant shall not say, “I am sick,” and meanwhile every trial is measured by the hand of Him who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.
Therefore, pray on, and let your husband’s soul be stayed upon the Lord. Let this pain speak to him of the brevity of life and the preciousness of Christ, so that if the healing tarries, his inner man may be renewed day by day. I am persuaded that the Lord will visit you in mercy; whether He says, “Be it unto you according to your faith,” and grants a swift recovery, or whether He sustains you both under the burden, He will be glorified and you will be refined. Rest in the faithfulness of your heavenly Husband, for He remains faithful when we are faithless, and His compassions fail not.