It is a heavy burden you bring, yet our merciful God is not unacquainted with the sorrows of His people. Your mother’s illness and your financial straits press upon you, and the absence of your dear father is a grief ever present. But remember, the Lord who spoke to Job out of the whirlwind is the same God who binds up the brokenhearted and heals all their diseases. Job, in the ashes, came to see that his own wisdom was nothing, and he learned to rest in the unchanging goodness of God. You, too, must now trust not in physicians or in treasures, but in Him who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not.
Why should you say, “I am sick” or “I am ruined,” when the healing leaves of the Tree of Life are ever near? Our Lord Jesus Christ is that Tree, and His teaching is ever attended with healing power. First, seek the forgiveness of sins and a right standing before God, for the same hand that pardons also restores. The Lukan paralytic was first told, “Thy sins be forgiven thee,” and afterward, “Arise, take up thy bed, and walk.” So it is for your mother: while we pray for her liver and her strength, we must also pray for her soul’s health. The Great Physician can touch that fatty liver and make it whole, but His first concern is always the inner man. Do not doubt His ability, for He is the very same who stood by the bedside of Peter’s wife’s mother and rebuked the fever.
Waiting upon the Lord is the secret of renewed strength. You feel your own weakness and fear the future. But “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” This is not a passive idleness, but an active looking unto Jesus, a constant pleading of the promises. Your father is with the Lord, which is far better, but that leaves you and your mother to lean more heavily upon the heavenly Father. He has promised, “I will strengthen them in the Lord.” This strength is not always to mount up with wings as eagles, but sometimes to run without weariness, and oftentimes to walk without fainting. For your mother’s bodily frame, there may be a gradual restoration. Patience is a part of this divine strength. Job sat down among the ashes, yet he sinned not with his lips. He worshipped, even when his heart was breaking. Your mother’s sanctified weakness may become a powerful testimony.
As for your financial debts, the Lord knows your need before you ask. It is a sore trial to see no earthly help, but remember, when all strength fails, your strength is to sit still while God arises and becomes your arm every morning. Did He not provide for Elijah by the brook Cherith? Cannot He still command the ravens? The world’s gold and silver are His. “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly”, so must you be on your guard against fretfulness or despair. The Lord may see fit to try your faith, but He will not forsake you. Look to Christ, who became poor that we through His poverty might be rich, and trust Him for daily bread. Use every honest endeavor, but let your confidence be in God, not in man.
I would have you lay hold upon this hope: the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. It may be that this trial will be the means of drawing you both into closer communion with Jesus. The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations, and there is no ailment of body or estate beyond their reach. Go often to that tree. Read the promises aloud to your mother. Pray without ceasing. When you sit by her bedside, speak of the love of Christ, for a glad heart doth good like a medicine. The Lord may restore her liver and give her many years, or He may take her home to be with Him and your father; but in either case, your soul shall be safe if you are hidden in the Rock of Ages. Therefore, let your prayer be not only for healing, but for conformity to His will.
I will now lift my heart with yours:
“Almighty God, Thou who didst uphold Job when all was gone, look upon this dear mother. Touch her liver with Thy healing hand, and restore her to health and strength, that she may yet declare Thy works. Provide for this need of money, O Lord; open a door of employment, or send help from a quarter least expected, that they may pay their debts and lack no good thing. Above all, let them both know that Thou hast been gracious unto them. Let the blood of Jesus speak peace to their consciences, and may the Holy Spirit make them strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Be Thou a Father to these orphans, a Husband to this widow, and a present Help in trouble. We ask all in the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Healer and our Redeemer. Amen.”