42. The Patient resolves to bear his Sufferings without a Murmur

EXHORTATION.

"I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it."—Psalm xxxix. 9.

"How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord! for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me."—Psalm xiii. 1. Thus do pious bedridden Christians sigh to heaven. God's chosen hour sometimes appears to be too long delayed, when it tarries for days, weeks, and months; and many do not entirely avoid the sin of murmuring against his dispositions. But a pious Christian should never suffer himself to be brought to such a pass. 1. God never deserts us in suffering, trouble, or disease, for that would be against his promise. 2. Even though the yoke should gall, it is not

HIS SUFFERINGS WITHOUT A MURMUR.

right to murmur, for that would be to forget the omnipotence, love, and mercy of God. 3. Therefore, we must await the hour of our deliverance, in unremitting faith, prayer, hope, and confidence. Holy and all-wise God! I see thy holy will, that I am to lie on this bed of sickness as long as it shall please thee. I will not oppose thy holy will, nor murmur against thee. I am here, let the Lord deal with me according to his pleasure; shall I not drink of the cup which my father has given me? My father will not pour out poison for physic. Let me bear the wrath of the Lord, for I have sinned against him. The severe suffering must be beneficial to the soul, although flesh and blood abhor it. Thou hast been my father and my God from my youth up, and so wilt thou be in my present sickness. If I am to lie and suffer thus much longer, O Lord, give me at times an hour of respite, in which the pain may be remitted, and my sufferings assuaged. If I am to undergo great suffering, give me great powers of endurance; thou knowest how weak I am, and how little I am able to bear; do not seize me too vehemently, lest I perish. Deal with me as a mother with a feeble child, help me to carry my burden, yea, carry 24*

THE PATIENT RESOLVES TO BEAR me, and take me upon thy knees. If my sufferings are to become still more severe than they are, do thou not depart from me with thy gracious help and comfort. If I am to have more comfortless nights, let me experience thy consolation, and know that thou art still my father and my friend. I know that when thou dost send down affliction upon thy children, it is not to destroy them, but to draw them towards thee. Then let this sickness draw me away from the evil habits and pleasures of the world to thee, to sanctification, to piety, to heaven, and to eternal happiness. Aye, my Lord and God! Although thou dost make me thus to suffer, I will not flee from thee. My shepherd, guide me through these thorny paths, which lacerate my body and my soul, I follow thee most willingly. If the head was crowned with roses, the members cannot walk upon thorns. I loved thee when thou gavest me health and prosperity, and I will love thee now, in sickness and suffering; I know thou canst and wilt help me. Amen. 1. If God has sent thee an affliction,

And if thy face is bathed in tears,

Patiently bear his dispensation

And let no murmurs reach his ears.

HIS SUFFERINGS WITHOUT A MURMUR.

In unreserved submission stand,

Awaiting his supreme command.

2. The God who hath ordained thy illness,

Who throws thee on thy dying bed,

For him it is a very trifle

To make thee well and comforted.

The Lord can sicken and make whole,

The springs of life own his control.

3. O murmur not; the Lord hath promised

To be thy shield and sure defence,

To rescue thee from every trouble,

And to abridge thy long suspense;

O cease not yet to trust his power,

His help may come this very hour.

4. To God thou must thyself surrender,

And say, "Dear Lord, behold me here;

My life and death to thee are offered,

To thee without reserve or fear.

Deal with me, father, to the fill

Of thy most high and holy will."

5. Who thus eschews all disaffection

And patiently sustains the load

Which the Lord's providence imposes,

On him assistance is bestowed.

He will be comforted in time

And gladdened in the eternal clime.

THE PATIENT PREPARES TO