God's Purposes for Illness

God's Purposes for Illness

Isaiah 48:11


"…I have chosen thee in the furnance of affliction.

Yes, Lord, You have "chosen me" in love and put me here in this "furnace of affliction". You have placed me here for a purpose – to purify me. May I rejoice in this! Let me remember Dr. John Piper's words in one of his sermons:

"The tree as it's bent in the winds of adversity is going to straighten and be stronger for its having bent, and the roots are going to go deeper."

"The moral spiritual effect when we fall upon God because there's nobody else to fall upon is that we hope in Him more fully, and we hope in the world less. And that's a good thing!


John 15:2

"…and every branch that beareth fruit, he PURGETH it, that it may bring forth more fruit.


Malachi 3:3

And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall PURIFY the sons of Levi, and PURGE them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Lord, I am reminded again of Piper's word:

"It is strange when you read the New Testament…How many times, if you were running the mission as a sovereign God you would just not allow it to be interrupted so many times – the way it was for Paul.. Why in the world did God in His sovereignty allow him to go to jail so
many times…get beaten five times with lashes, three with rods…a night and a day in the sea…3 shipwrecks…danger in the streets…enemies on all sides?…I mean, "Aren't You God?"…

ANSWER: "I got purposes under these ministry goals…heart purposes, soul purposes, hope purposes, faith purposes. I'm not just interested in ministry goals. I'm interested in the hearts of the people who do ministry! If it happens in jail, I'll put `em in jail. If I gotta give them cancer, I'll give them cancer."

Lord, Matthew Henry's words are a comfort, too:

"Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary grace. Sanctified afflictions are spiritual promotion." (emphasis mine)

Lord, I love this old song:
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God Moves In A Mysterious Way


God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform;

He plants his footsteps in the sea,

And rides upon the storm.



Deep in unfathomable mines

Of never-failing skill

He treasures up his bright designs,

And works his sovereign will.



Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;

The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy, and shall break

In blessings on your head.




Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,

But trust him for his grace;

Behind a frowning providence

He hides a smiling face.



His purposes will ripen fast,

Unfolding ev'ry hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste,

But sweet will be the flow'r.



Blind unbelief is sure to err.

And scan his work in vain;

God is his own interpreter,

And he will make it plain.


-William Cowper, 1774

Thank-You, Lord, for the encouragement this morning! Amen!



*Quotes by Piper used with permission