34. Prayer for Patience in Illness
EXHORTATION.
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul! and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance, and my God?"—Psalm, xliii. 5. Patience is necessary, to fulfil the will of God; for surely he who would fulfil God's will, must not be perverse or self-willed, but patient and calm. There are many inducements for a Christian to be patient. 1. The example of Christ; in all his sufferings he opened not his mouth, but was meek as a lamb. 2. The patient should remember that the disease is a dispensation of God.
3. The love and omnipotence of God are inducements to patience; what God imposes, he can also remove. 4. The patient must consider that his sins have merited far greater torments and severer sufferings; instead of growing impatient, therefore, he should rather humble himself in penitence before God, and invoke his grace and mercy. PRAYER FOR PATIENCE IN ILLNESS.
Merciful God and gracious father! behold me on this bed of sickness, unable to rise; nevertheless, I come to thee and stand before thy lofty throne. It has pleased thee to deprive me of health, and send this illness upon me; even so, my God and Father! let thy will be done; but give me patience to bear all without murmurs or discontent. In my better days God has often gladdened my heart, and should I not now endure in patience? God is good, he chides in moderation; his judgments cannot entirely forsake me. If I have received good things at thy hands, if thou hast often refreshed me in my days of health, I will accept these days of suffering likewise, in thy power and patience, and will humbly remember how many happy hours the Lord has given me, compared to which these short intervals of suffering are insignificant. I know, my God! that thou art loving and gracious; therefore, thou wilt not impose more upon me than I can bear. I rely upon thy word, which says, "God is true, and will not suffer you to be tempted beyond your power, but puts an end to temptations, so that you can bear it." Look upon thy feeble, emaciated child, and bestow thy fatherly love upon me. I do not refuse to suffer, because suffering will redound to 21*
PRAYER FOR PATIENCE IN ILLNESS.
my sanctification. My God! here I am; do with me as thou wilt; let me fully understand thy holy counsel, which is, that this disease shall be as a fire to consume and destroy the impurities with which my soul is tainted; and to cleanse it wholly, that it shall be as a tocsin, reminding me of my sins, and of the necessity of repentance; as a call to prayer for the forgiveness of all my sins, for the sake of Jesus, and of his blood and death; as a voice commanding me to put my house in order, and to prepare for death, the grave, and eternity. Make me fitting to please thee, in thy heavenly mansion, for I know that these temporal sorrows, are to be succeeded by surpassing glory. Therefore, be quiet, my soul; why art thou cast down, and why art thou so disquieted within me? Hope in God for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance and my God. Why wilt thou grieve, my poor soul? Love him alone who is bright Immanuel, trust in him alone, he will do all things well; he will advance thy welfare. For God forsaketh none of those who put their trust in him; though things look strange and doubtful, never give way to dread and doubts. Thou shalt be astonished to see how God will deliver thee. Amen. HYMN
SOUL.
1. How long must I stand in battle?
Will there be no end of strife?
Will the darts forever rattle,
Must I still despair of life?
Will I never be relieved,
And the victory achieved?
O I fear 'twill not be ended,
Till I perish unbefriended.
GOD.
2. Fight the fight without repining,
I will never let thee fail,
My strong shield is o'er thee shining,
Courage! thou shalt yet prevail.
I am with thee evermore,
Follow where I go before;
Thou shalt have my full assistance,
Overcoming all resistance.
SOUL.
3. O my God, I know the forces
Of thy heavenly power full well;
Thy omnipotence discourses
Wonders such as ne'er befel.
Then convince me that thy aid
Will my struggles still bestead.
Let me know that thou wilt never
Leave my side but help me ever.
THE PATIENT PRAYS FOR
GOD.
4. Lo, the dazzling crown allures thee!
Hasten, let thy course be run;
My extended hand adjures thee,
See the mansions of the Son;
Dwellings of eternal light,
Where the angels wing their flight,
Where is ended toil and burden,
Are the faithful champion's guerdon.
GOD AND THE SOUL.
5. SOUL. All my troubles now are over,
I have conquered by thy grace.
GOD. And my panoply shall cover,
Thee e'en in thy last distress.
SOUL. And where wilt thou carry me,
After death has set me free?
GOD. Heavenward, where, for what thou yearnest,
Is transformed to truth and earnest.