The cry of your heart for your brother’s life is heard in the courts of heaven. Yet while you plead for the mending of his body, I dare not pass over his soul, nor yours, nor that of all your house. The healing of the flesh is a mercy, but the salvation of the soul is the great prize. You ask for total recovery, so be it, if the Lord wills, but know that there is a recovery from the deeper malady of sin which only God can give. Salvation is God’s greatest work. He saith, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” It is not by tears nor by prayers nor by penance that any man merits this. You must either have salvation wholly as a debt, or wholly as a charity; there can be no mingling of the two. Cast away all trust in your own deservings, and bring nothing to the cross but your need. It is without money and without price; if you bring your good works, your ceremonies, your pleadings, you cannot have it. But if you come with empty hands, the gift is yours.
Faith is the simple way. “Whoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed.” Believing on Christ, trusting Him, is not believing on a thing but on a Person. He is the salvation of God. I pray your poor brother, in his waking moments, may be led to look to Jesus. His speech may falter, but the soul can look without a word. It takes not a moment; a look does not require strength. And for you who watch by his side, this is your own salvation too. It must be your own. No man can die your death or believe for you. Lay hold on eternal life this hour and say, “I will rejoice in thy salvation.” Then, as the Philippian jailer heard, so believe thou, not for thyself alone, but for thy house. A household may be renewed and rejoicing together, all caught in the gospel net. Plead this promise for every soul under your roof.
If the Lord raises him up, let his tongue give God the glory; if he is taken, let him go to the presence of Jesus with that one saving look fixed on the Redeemer. Leave the whole matter, body and soul, with Him in unquestioning confidence. His honor is engaged to save the meanest of His sheep. Cease from fretting; begin believing. Seek this common salvation, which is for all who will receive it, and make it common indeed. Neglect not this great salvation, your brother’s, yours, your family’s. Now, while the door is open, knock; you shall find it opened.