The End or Purpose of the Lord

"Ye... have seen the end of the Lord."
James 5:11
The Lord always has an "end" or object in view in all that befalls His people, particularly when sicknesses and similar troubles come upon them. It is exceedingly important that we have that fact firmly established in our hearts, for if we know "the end of the Lord," it will enable us to pass even more joyfully through the period of trial. And the more firmly we are convinced of the fact, the lighter the trial will seem and the shorter its duration.
The Apostle Paul, in his unparalleled afflictions, knew that "the end of the Lord" was a "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." With that prospect in view, his present affliction seemed to be light as to its character, and for a moment as to its duration. (2 Cor. 4:17, 18.)
There is a great difference between looking for the end of the trial and looking for "the end of the Lord." It is natural to be looking for the former, and if the trial is a sickness, then the usual thing is to send for a doctor and take remedies in order to escape it. However, we are expected to take care of these bodies we now have. But it takes faith to look for the "end of the Lord," for that is one of the things that are "not seen." "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Heb. 11:1.