There is healing in the very leaves of the tree of life, the least things about Christ are full of virtue for those who are brought low. Your father’s weakness, the faltering blood, the body fresh from the surgeon’s hand, these are not beyond the reach of Him who spoke and the sick of the palsy rose. The power that healed then was present with the teaching; and we have told you that the heavenly Father delights in mercy, that the blood of Jesus can make the filthiest clean and restore the feeblest frame. Let faith lay hold of this: the Sun of Righteousness has risen with healing in His wings, and His leaves are for the healing of the nations, and of your dear father among them.
But your heart is also burdened for the day of your own birth, lest it be spoiled as before. Child, look higher. When the Father is viewed aright, He becomes the object of our gratitude, not our dread. He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in that blessed name He stoops to be your Father too. Shall a birthday be ruined when the Father Himself loves you? Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight, this is the music that lifts the soul above the changing shadows of earthly joys. Trust His ordering, and you shall find Him a better Father than the best of fathers could ever be to the best beloved of sons.
The new scooter or chair, these are small mercies the Father knows you have need of, and He who numbers the hairs of your head will not withhold what is fitting. Yet far more honorable is it to wage spiritual war with love and the truth of God than to lean too heavily on chariots of iron. Acknowledge in each increase of strength, whether to your father’s limbs or your own, that the Lord has a new claim on your affection. O God, will You despise the cries of Your own Son, whose blood speaks better things for us? That blood cries, “Father, shall I die in vain?” and the Father hears. Pardon and healing were one when Jesus said, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” So bring your father and your trembling hopes for the day, and lay them where the blood has spoken, before the Throne where the Father says, “I will be a Father unto you, and you shall be My sons and daughters.” There is heaven in the depth of that word, Father. Wait upon Him, and your great grief shall be taken from you by the kind application of the blood of Christ.