The petitions of your heart are spread before the Throne, though the words be few. He who sees in secret beholds every hidden sorrow, every silent tear for your household. You speak of a need known fully to God alone, and it is there, in that sacred knowing, that mercy first moves. The tree of life bears leaves for the healing of the nations, and even His common things, His lower blessings, are full of virtue. Lay hold of that branch for your family, for body and soul, for the wounds seen and unseen.
For grace and health and strength you plead. This is well. But strength must be renewed by a fresh exchange, your utter weakness for His might. He does not dispense it as a fixed deposit, but as the daily manna, gathered by waiting upon the Lord. They that wait upon Him shall renew their strength; not by wrestling, but by resting in His promise. Jehovah is your strength and your song, and He has become your salvation. That word is for the household; take it as a mantle to cover every member, for He gives power to the faint, and to those who have no might He increases strength.
Discernment will spring up as Grace abounds. That Grace is not a prize for exertion, but a gift for those without strength. It is all of Divine Grace, given of Grace, received through Grace, understood by Grace. Where the offense has made the need to abound, Grace does much more abound. Sin may have brought a wound, but Grace brings the healing and more than was ever taken away. For every perplexity in your home, for every decision that lies in shadow, this reigning Grace not only pardons but guides, not merely saves but keeps. It is sufficient for the day, and as your day, your strength shall be.
Let happiness be understood as holiness blooming in secret. The world's merriment is a painted pot, but the joy of the Lord in the inner chambers of a believing household is a well of water springing up. There is a recompense of reward to look for, a crown to strive after, but the sweet present happiness is found when Grace reigns, Grace triumphant in the midst of direst afflictions, Grace that makes the heart bow to bear all that the Lord decrees. This is not a light thing, but it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.
And healing, oh, that this tree of life might drop its leaves thick upon your dwelling! I do not speak now of the body only, though He cares for that clay frame. I mean the healing of the soul's diseases, those creeping maladies of fear, doubt, waywardness, and unbelief. He has seen their ways and will heal them. The abiding power of the healing leaves keeps the soul in perpetual health. God takes care of the little things, the trifles, of believers. Even the leaves are for healing. Bring the whole household often to that salt sea-breeze of His love, breathe the native air of prayer, and find strength infused, wisely balanced, fitly given.
This is the covenant way: He freely gives, and we humbly receive. God gives His Grace freely in the most emphatic sense. It is not of him that wills, but of God that shows mercy. Yet He will be inquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them. So wait upon Him, expect from Him, and trust Him for every soul beneath your roof. "I will strengthen them," says the Lord. Plead that word until the answer comes and Grace, like a conquering sovereign, sits upon the throne of every heart in your home, leading captivity captive.