Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, sickness is often portrayed as a tool through which God permits His saints to be tried and refined. This concept is deeply rooted in the understanding that God, in His sovereignty, allows His people to undergo various trials, including physical ailments, to test and strengthen their faith.Job's Suffering The account of Job is perhaps the most illustrative example of God permitting sickness as a trial. Job, described as "blameless and upright" (Job 1:1), is afflicted with severe physical suffering. God allows Satan to test Job's faith through the loss of his health, wealth, and family. Despite his intense suffering, Job maintains his integrity and faith in God, declaring, "Though He slays me, I will hope in Him" (Job 13:15). Job's experience underscores the belief that God can use sickness to test the faithfulness of His saints. Paul's Thorn in the Flesh The Apostle Paul speaks of a "thorn in the flesh," a form of suffering that he describes as "a messenger of Satan to torment me" (2 Corinthians 12:7). Despite pleading with the Lord to remove it, Paul receives the response, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). This passage highlights the idea that God permits certain afflictions to persist, not as a punishment, but as a means to demonstrate His power and grace in the believer's life. Hezekiah's Illness King Hezekiah's illness, as recorded in 2 Kings 20, serves as another example. Hezekiah becomes mortally ill, and the prophet Isaiah tells him to set his house in order, for he will not recover. In response, Hezekiah prays earnestly, and God grants him an additional fifteen years of life (2 Kings 20:1-6). This narrative illustrates that while God may allow sickness, He also hears the prayers of His saints and can choose to heal according to His will and purpose. Purpose of Trials The New Testament further elaborates on the purpose of trials, including sickness, in the life of a believer. James writes, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance" (James 1:2-3). This passage suggests that trials, including sickness, are permitted by God to develop spiritual maturity and perseverance in His people. Divine Sovereignty and Human Response Throughout Scripture, the theme of divine sovereignty is evident in the context of sickness and trials. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's wisdom and purpose, even when His ways are not fully understood. The response of faith, prayer, and reliance on God's grace is consistently emphasized as the appropriate reaction to such trials. In summary, the Bible presents sickness as one of the means by which God permits His saints to be tried, with the ultimate goal of refining their faith and demonstrating His power and grace. Through these experiences, believers are called to trust in God's sovereign plan and to find strength in His promises. Torrey's Topical Textbook Job 2:5,6But put forth your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Gratitude for Deliverance from the Grave This HomilyWas Delivered in the Old Church of Antioch The Sweet Uses of Adversity Whither Goest Thou? Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me all the Days of My Life ... "My Times are in Thy Hand" Joy, a Duty A Homily for Humble Folks The Treatise Washed to Greater Foulness Resources Why does God allow sickness? | GotQuestions.orgIs Sunday sickness a real thing? | GotQuestions.org What is spiritual sickness? What does it mean to be spiritually sick? | GotQuestions.org Sickness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Sickness: Christ Compassionate Those In Sickness: Christ Healed by Imposition of Hands Sickness: Christ Healed with a Touch Sickness: Christ Healed with a Word Sickness: Christ Healed: Being Present Sickness: Christ Healed: Not Being Present Sickness: Christ Healed: Through the Touch of his Garment Sickness: Faith Required in Those Healed of, by Christ Sickness: God: Abandons the Wicked To Sickness: God: Comforts Saints In Sickness: God: Exhibits his Love in Healing Sickness: God: Exhibits his Mercy in Healing Sickness: God: Exhibits his Power in Healing Sickness: God: Hears the Prayers of Those In Sickness: God: Often Manifests Saving Grace to Sinners During Sickness: God: Permits Saints to be Tried By Sickness: God: Persecutes the Wicked By Sickness: God: Preserves Saints in Time of Sickness: God: Promises to Heal Sickness: God: Strengthens Saints In Sickness: God's Aid should be Sought In Sickness: Healing of, Lawful on the Sabbath Sickness: Not Visiting Those In, an Evidence of not Belonging to Christ Sickness: Often Brought on by Intemperance Sickness: Often Incurable by Human Means Sickness: Often Sent As a Punishment of Sin Sickness: One of God's Four Sore Judgments on a Guilty Land Sickness: Pray for Those Afflicted With Sickness: Saints are Resigned Under Sickness: Saints: Acknowledge That, Comes from God Sickness: Saints: Ascribe Recovery From, to God Sickness: Saints: Feel for Others In Sickness: Saints: Mourn Under, With Prayer Sickness: Saints: Praise God for Recovery From Sickness: Saints: Pray for Recovery From Sickness: Saints: Thank God Publicly for Recovery Form Sickness: Saints: Visit Those In Sickness: The Apostles Were Endued With Power to Heal Sickness: The Devil Sometimes Permitted to Inflict Sickness: The Power of Healing: One of the Miraculous Gifts Bestowed on the Early Church Sickness: The Wicked: Forsake Those In Sickness: The Wicked: Have Much Sorrow, With Sickness: The Wicked: Visit not Those In Sickness: Visiting Those In, an Evidence of Belonging to Christ Related Terms |
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