Your burden has been laid before the throne of grace and we have carried it there with you. To feel so ill and so tired, to wait for appointments that seem far off while the body grows weak and the cares of life press heavily, is a sore trial indeed. The Lord knows how much is upon your plate and He sees the weariness that comes with thinning hair, with failing hearing, with the fear of diabetes and the dread word cancer and all else that afflicts you.
We are reminded that our God is a waiting God and His people are a waiting people. The prophet says the Lord waiteth that He may be gracious unto you, and you in turn are called to wait upon Him. To wait for the physician's help is hard, and to wait upon the Lord in that interval is the soul's true exercise. This waiting is not waiting in despair, nor even in hesitation, but waiting in hope, a joyous and assured hope of blessedness in reserve. As you wait for sooner help, may you find that waiting upon the Lord renews strength. He gives a mysterious strength through the incoming of His Spirit into the soul, He makes the world and its affairs to seem small, and He breeds a peace within which helps the heart to bear trials and foes. He is at the helm and His hand will steer your course even when appointments tarry.
There is abundant healing power in Jesus Christ and His salvation. The Scripture says the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations, and the least thing about Christ is healing. Not only is His fruit sweet and nourishing, but the leaves, the little things as it were about Christ, are full of healing virtue. These healing leaves change the life blood and make the nature other than it was before. And healing and pardon are placed in happy conjunction. When Jesus healed the man sick of the palsy He first said, Son, be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee. Pardon and healing were one. So we point you first to the great Physician of souls who healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds. Look to Christ alone for salvation, for there is no other name under heaven whereby we must be saved, and in Him forgiveness flows freely. Then bring the body also to Him, for the Sun of Righteousness is risen with healing in His wings. He is able to heal, and Calvary is the place for the healing balm. Whether He heals at once or sustains you through a longer course, His touch has virtue in it still.
Let us pray for you now.
O Lord, our God, Thou seest this weary one, faint and ill, waiting and heavy laden. Have mercy and let Thy grace be near. Forgive sin for Jesus sake and let pardon bring peace to the conscience. Lay Thy hand upon this body, we beseech Thee. Thou knowest the thinning hair, the failing hearing, the fear of diabetes and of cancer and every other infirmity. Thou art the God who healeth all our diseases. If it be Thy will, bring sooner appointments and raise up skillful hands to help, and give wisdom to those who care. Till then, strengthen for each day, renew strength as we wait upon Thee, and lift up the heart that is cast down. Let this afflicted one feel Thy presence, know Thy forgiveness through Jesus Christ alone, and be kept in perfect peace. We ask in the name of Jesus, our only hope and healer. Amen.
Take heart and continue to wait upon the Lord. Keep the appointments that are set and seek help diligently, for the Lord often works through the physician, yet set your chief hope upon Christ Himself. Tell Him all your need in simple prayer, trust His pardoning blood, and rest in His gracious waiting until the time of love shall come. He will not forget you, and His healing, whether in this life or in the life to come where faces shine fresher than newborn babes, shall be complete.