SOVEREIGN !

"Paul had a sickness of which he was not healed. Timothy was told to take natural means for his "frequent illnesses" (1Ti 5:23). Trophimus was left at Miletus "sick" (2Ti 4:20). God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul (Ac 19:11-12). BUT he did not choose to do so in case of these two friends of his. The One, by whose power a miracle is wrought, MUST be allowed to say how and when that power is to be exercised. *It is not always in the way we would hope for or expect. Elijah goes up by a whirlwind into Heaven (2Ki 2:11). Elisha falls sick with the sickness of which he died (2Ki 13:14). Herod kills James with a sword. Peter is delivered from Herod's power by an angel (Ac 12).

IT is shown from; and it is witnessed in the Bible that sickness, illness - or a disability - is sometimes actually in God's purpose for a person, as in the case of Paul (2Co 12:7-10) who is the "example" Christian (1Ti 1:16)! Of course we can and should pray for healing - just as we should also seek medical aid. Such problems are included in the "everything" of Philippians 4:6. *IF we call our Lord Jesus, "Master and Lord", we are acknowledging that our "times are in (His) hands" (Ps 31:15), and that would cover times of sickness/illness et-cetera as well as health. We may beseech/beg (2Co 12:8); we may pray; we may supplicate/earnestly request (Php 4:6) - but we may not dictate to God. He is the Sovereign God of the Universe!

Trust Him. He loves you (Jn 16:27). AND He will not withhold any good thing from you (Ps 84:11).

He is the God of all grace (1Pe 5:10). We may come confidently to His throne (Heb 4:16), that
we may obtain mercy and grace to help in time of need. AT the same time we are to be humble/ not overrate our qualities under His mighty hand, that He may praise us - lift us up - in due time. SOME answers to our questions may be waiting for us in Heaven! HE has always known what the consequences of obtaining/"getting" the things we so desperately ask for would eventually be. We seldom, if ever do. He is the God of knowledge! Perhaps we shall see in Heaven how merciful He has been in not granting us some of our requests". ALICE M. CHAMBERS