When the ambulance lights flash across the walls of a quiet home and the familiar gives way to the unknown, the heart can feel as though it has been seized up and shaken. You have been watching someone you love struggle long with this illness, and now the urgency of the moment presses in on every side. Take a steadying breath. In such an hour, if you or the one you love are in immediate danger, reach out at once to your local emergency services. There is also a helpline directory in your country at
findahelpline.com where a listening voice may be found. Do not hesitate to use what God in common grace has provided for safety.
Now let us sit together for a moment and look past the sirens and the hurry, to the One who is never in haste and never at a loss. You have called upon your Father God. That is no small thing. The ambulance may have carried her body, but a far surer carriage, the everlasting arms, bore her spirit all the way. The Lord Jesus has a way of entering the very house where fever burns and weakness has made its lodging. He came to Peter’s house when a great fever threatened death within its walls, and the presence of the Physician changed everything. He did not stand at the door and send in a prescription. He came in. He drew near. The fever did not keep Him away; the trouble was the very thing that drew Him there. And now He has drawn near to her, and to you.
You have been praying for helps, for all the helps she needs, daily. That is the right prayer. The power of Christ in the gospel is mainly a power to heal and restore. He might have come with a destroying hand, for we deserved nothing else, but instead He came with hands full of mercy. Every good gift, every skilled hand that tends her, every measure of relief, every quieting of pain, all these are leaves from the tree that grows on either side of the river of life, whose leaves are for the healing of the nations. Heaven’s pharmacy is not shut. The leaves are not withered. They are fresh every morning, and they are for her.
You have been keeping a long watch with this illness. Long sicknesses have a way of wearing down more than the body; they can grind the spirit fine. But it is often in the deep waters that we learn how broad the ship is beneath us. You may feel your own strength is small, and that is true. But you are not thrown back upon your own strength. The promise stands: “I will strengthen them in the Lord.” The “shall” of grace is mightier than the “I cannot” of our weariness. When there is no strength left in you, fling yourself upon divine strength and take hold of it. He knows how to work gently, quietly, yet mightily, so that those who feel most helpless find themselves upheld by a power they cannot explain.
Do not measure the outcome by the turmoil of the moment. The noise of the ambulance, the beeping of monitors, these are not the truest sounds in the room. There is a stiller voice that says, “Son, daughter, be of good cheer.” The Lord who forgives all your iniquities also heals all your diseases. First forgiveness, then healing, that is often His order. And both are sure in Christ.
Let me commend her, and you, to Him now.
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Father God, whose beloved Son entered into the fevers and sorrows of our fallen flesh, look upon Your daughter in her weakness. You have numbered her days and measured her frame; You know exactly what help she needs. Give skillful minds and gentle hands to every nurse and doctor. Quiet her fears. Cool her fever. Renew her strength in the inward parts and cause recovery to spring up. And for the one who pleads before You, steady that anxious heart. Let them know, even in the waiting, that You are working. We ask all this in the strong name of Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. 
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