Topical Encyclopedia Sickness is a condition that affects all of humanity, including the saints, who are not exempt from the trials and tribulations of physical ailments. Throughout the Bible, sickness is often depicted as a time of testing, reflection, and spiritual growth. The saints, in their afflictions, turn to God in prayer, seeking His mercy, healing, and comfort.Biblical Instances of Saints Mourning Under Sickness: 1. Job's Affliction: Job is perhaps the most well-known biblical figure who mourned under severe sickness. Despite his righteousness, Job was afflicted with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head (Job 2:7). In his suffering, Job mourned deeply, yet he remained steadfast in prayer and faith, saying, "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him" (Job 13:15). 2. Hezekiah's Illness: King Hezekiah fell ill to the point of death, and in his distress, he turned to the Lord in prayer. Hezekiah wept bitterly and prayed for healing, and God heard his prayer, granting him an additional fifteen years of life (2 Kings 20:1-6). This account highlights the power of earnest prayer in times of sickness. 3. David's Lament: King David often expressed his anguish and physical suffering in the Psalms. In Psalm 6:2-3, he cries out, "Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am frail; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are in agony. My soul is deeply distressed. How long, O LORD, how long?" . David's prayers reflect a heart that seeks God's intervention and comfort amidst physical and emotional pain. 4. Paul's Thorn in the Flesh: The Apostle Paul speaks of a "thorn in the flesh," a persistent affliction that caused him great distress. Despite pleading with the Lord three times for its removal, Paul received the assurance that God's grace was sufficient for him (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). This passage illustrates the acceptance of God's will and the strength found in divine grace during times of sickness. Prayer as a Response to Sickness: Prayer is a central response to sickness for the saints, serving as a means of seeking God's presence, healing, and peace. The Bible encourages believers to pray for the sick, as seen in James 5:14-15: "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up" . The act of prayer during sickness is not only a request for physical healing but also an opportunity for spiritual renewal and reliance on God's sovereignty. It is a time to draw near to God, trusting in His wisdom and timing, and to find solace in His promises. The Role of Community in Prayer for the Sick: The community of believers plays a vital role in supporting those who are sick through prayer. The early church exemplified this communal support, as seen in Acts 12:5, where the church earnestly prayed for Peter while he was in prison. Similarly, the body of Christ today is called to intercede for one another, bearing each other's burdens and lifting up those who are suffering. In summary, sickness is a reality that saints mourn under, yet it is through prayer that they find strength, hope, and healing. The biblical accounts of Job, Hezekiah, David, and Paul serve as enduring examples of how the faithful turn to God in their afflictions, trusting in His mercy and grace. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 38:14Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: my eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Blessed are they that Mourn Prayer. The Saints' Rest is not to be Expected on Earth. A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad! The Life of Mr. James Mitchel. The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts Heavenly Contemplation Exemplified, and the Whole Work Concluded. Ebenezer! Beauty for Ashes Hymns and Spiritual Songs 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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