You are afraid, and I know something of that terror which steals the breath and turns the night into a long watchfulness. When the eyes fail, or the body gives way beneath us, the darkness seems to press in, and the mind runs over all the sorrows that may be. But I want you to sit down here a moment and let me tell you what is truer than all your fears: your Lord is very near you, and He has not left you to face this alone.
You have been crying out for prayer, and that is right, for the saints are one body, and when one member suffers, the whole body groans. But do you think the Head of the body is indifferent? Jesus Christ knows every trembling of your heart. He counts the beats of it, and not one anxious thought escapes His notice. Long ago He said to His people, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.” That promise was not spoken to the strong and the mighty, but to the worm Jacob, the poor, helpless, frightened one who felt he had no strength at all. And you, this hour, are as much His beloved as any saint who ever leaned his head on Jesus’ breast.
Think of how He healed in the days of His flesh. The Gospel is a basket overflowing with cures, the blind seeing, the lame leaping, the sick rising up from their beds with the fever gone. Our Lord never turned away a soul that came to Him with a real need. When He entered Peter’s little house, He found it full of trouble, for the mother of the bride lay burning with a great fever. He did not stand at the door and send in a word of comfort; He came right to the bedside, took her by the hand, and lifted her up. That same tender hand is stretched out toward you now, for “the power of the Lord is present to heal” wherever faith reaches out to touch the hem of His garment.
I will not pretend to know why this sickness and this fear of darkness have come upon you. Some of the choicest saints I have ever known have been bedridden for years, and their pains were no mark of God’s anger, but of His fatherly training. He loves you too much to let you rest your hopes on eyesight and a sound body. There is a Tree of Life that grows in the paradise of His presence, and its leaves are for healing. You may not see it with your natural eyes, but faith can pluck the leaf and press it to the wound. The Lord Himself is your Healer, not always by removing the thorn, but by giving strength to bear it, and by turning the weakness into a throne for His power to sit upon.
And remember this: your greatest malady has already been cured. When Jesus saw the paralytic let down through the roof, He did not first speak to his limbs; He looked on the man’s deeper need and said, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” If sin is pardoned, you have a healing that no disease can undo. The dear Physician who healed your soul will not be careless of your body. He who gave His own life for you will not deny you the smaller gifts of peace and courage. So let the “Fear nots” that are sprinkled all through Isaiah be like flowers you gather in a dark meadow, pluck them one by one and press them to your heart until their sweetness fills your soul. “Fear not, for I have redeemed you.” “Fear not, I will help you.” “Fear not, you worm Jacob.” The Lord who took the child’s hand and said, “Fear not,” is holding you even when you cannot feel the grip.
You are like a ship in deep water, and the fog has settled thick. But the Pilot knows the channel, and the lighthouse has not been quenched. Cast your anchor on this: Christ lives, and because He lives, you shall live also. Though the earthly house of this tabernacle groans, it will be folded up one day, and you shall have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, where no eye shall grow dim and no frame shall fail.
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Lord Jesus, You whose touch once made blind eyes see, draw near to this dear trembling soul. Say to the heart, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Give quietness when the imagination paints terrible pictures, and let Your peace garrison the mind. Whether You restore sight or give grace to walk in a darkened way, be the Light of the inner man, and let no fear separate them from the sense of Your love. You are the Help of the helpless, the Strength of the weak, and the Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Into Your hands we commit spirit and body, now and forever. Amen.