“This sickness is not unto death” (John 11:4)

The sisters of Lazarus sent word to Jesus, “‘Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.’ When Jesus heard that, He said, ‘This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’ Everyone wanted Jesus to get to Lazarus before he died, but it was better for the glory of God that he would be raised from the dead. (John 11:3-4).

Lazarus was sick and died to bring glory to God. “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Although everything works to the good of saints, they know, it’s always according to His purpose.

God uses sickness for His purpose.  The time, manner, intensity, and effects of all our sicknesses are all in God’s hands. Each throb is decreed, each sleepless hour predestinated, each relapse ordained, each depression of spirit foreknown, and each sanctifying result eternally purposed. Nothing escapes the ordaining hand of Him who numbers the hairs of our head.

God heals according to His purpose. Every sickness is proportional to our strength, and the grace He gives is precise. Affliction isn’t by chance, and the burden of pain is accurately measured. The same God who controls where and when it rains, knows the exact medicine for our souls. We can’t suffer too much, or be relieved too late.

God sets limits according to His purpose. The knife of the heavenly Surgeon never cuts deeper than is absolutely necessary. “He does not afflict willingly, Nor grieve the children of men” (Lamentations 3:33). When we consider how rebellious we are, it’s a wonder we’re not dealt with more severely. Even with sinners, God works everything “so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him” (Acts 17:26-27).