God had Mercy. Philippians 2:27. “For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but also on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” We can’t help but feel for those in the assembly. We may not share the physical pain each person experiences, but we care about those we know, especially if that pain recurs repeatedly. We can’t help but let our sympathy show. Knowing that a brother or sister is grieving, helpless, and alone touches our heartstrings as we think of their plight. It is natural in God’s family for empathy to be known and for suffering saints to be assured of our prayers in the night.
It affects all of us who know that a sister or brother has cancer or had a stroke. When we hear of someone with heart trouble, we are initially caught off guard and think, “How awful.” Even after a good night’s sleep, concern returns when we wake up in the morning. One of the first things we do, perhaps while still lying in bed, is to pray for that person’s needs to our Father. We ask for their recovery, but if not, then instead, we ask for contentment and comfort for our brother.
I know that when someone is ill, there is still hope that God in mercy may restore their health and strength. But if this is their final hill, we pray, “O God, fill their cup with comfort so that they may endure with peace for the full length of their life.” May God’s grace be evident in all we do and say; may our faith and their faith in God be clear to all who know them. May God’s love be obvious each day through those who love Him, and may the sufferer find joy in heart and soul when God calls them home.
If all the characteristics mentioned in this chapter about teaching us of the mind of Christ were ours, we would experience true joy in what God is doing in and through others and in us. The examples of Paul, Timotheus, and Epaphroditus should examine us so that we can see if we are being used to bless sinners through our Gospel work and if we are saints in the assembly of which we are a part.