What a true mark of grace it is that your first desire is, "Let everything be for God's glory!" That petition alone proves the Spirit's work in your soul, for the natural man seeks his own honour, but the renewed heart cries, "Hallowed be thy name." We will join our prayers with yours for wisdom, guidance, and blessing in every lawful calling and relationship, but remember this: the heavenly Father already knows your needs before you ask, and His ear is not heavy that it cannot hear. The question is whether you will hear Him with heed, taking care to receive His truth obediently and not as those who merely sit in a place of worship to be entertained. Bring a great measure of need to the sanctuary, and the truth of God shall be measured out to you so as to fill it.
You seek a wife and desire to start a family. This is an honourable estate, ordained of God, and we pray that if it pleases Him, He will bring you a godly helpmate, that together you might be heirs of the grace of life, building a household that shines with the fear of the Lord. But be sure you trust not in the gift more than the Giver. He who spared not His own Son will freely give you all things; yet He often teaches us that no earthly blessing can quiet the conscience or heal the soul. That is the chief matter. You ask for healing in your body, your teeth, eyes, leg, and inward parts. We cry to the Great Physician on your behalf, for the least thing about Christ is healing; the very leaves of that Tree are for the medicine of the nations. Still, let us put first things first. When our Lord saw the palsied man let down through the tiling, He did not speak to the withered limbs at once, but said, "Man, thy sins are forgiven thee." Pardon and healing are twin mercies, and forgiveness is the greater wonder. Does your heart ache under the burden of sin? Then look to the Son of God pouring out His life, and trust Him. There is no pain of body that can compare to the misery of an awakened conscience, but the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin, and where that crimson flood flows, the soul rises up and walks in newness of life.
You plead for strategy and support in business and finances. Labour is good, and diligence is commended. Yet we are tempted to trust in uncertain riches. The true strategy is to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then these things shall be added. Many a child of want has learned that man doth not live by bread alone, and the Feeder of sparrows will not forget you. Cast all your care upon Him, for He careth for you. If He grants success, ascribe the glory to Him. If He withholds, let patience have her perfect work.
I would not have you live in perpetual doubt, always saying, "Do I love the Lord or no?" It is no presumption to take God at His word. If He says He will save you if you trust Him, then if you trust Him, He will save you. Honest dealing with God means confessing your own emptiness and His all-sufficiency. Have you tried to appear before God what you are not? He is not mocked. Come with the frank admission, "I am sick, I am sinful, I have no power of my own," and you will find Him gracious. The healing power of the gospel is not for those who suppose they need nothing, but for the broken in heart. The Lord binds up their wounds.
Therefore, we will continue in prayer for your whole estate, trusting that the Sun of Righteousness will arise with healing in His wings. But I charge you: let not your chief aim be the mending of the body or the prospering of your purse. Let your paramount cry be, "Lord, be merciful to me a sinner; heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee." If that is settled, then all other mercies will come as sealed with His covenant love, and you shall go to your own house, glorifying God. We look for the day when you, with all the redeemed, shall bear glad witness to the matchless power of Jesus, and in that golden age yet to dawn, every tongue shall confess that He doeth all things well. Until then, labour for the Lord in whom you are trusting, and may the peace of God which passeth all understanding keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.
