But God. Phil 2:27: “Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.” [NIV]
My friend that was so ill is on the path to recovery. While it may be a long and probably difficult path, we are going to have her with us and that brings us joy.
In Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, Paul mentioned a man named Epaphroditus, and called him “my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier.” Epaphroditus had been sent by the church at Philippi as their messenger to minister to Paul while he was in prison. Apparently Epaphroditus fell gravely ill and almost died. Paul indicates the illness was because Epaphroditus risked [gambled] “his life to make up for the help you could not give me.” [vs 30 NIV]
Paul prayed and God had mercy on Epaphroditus and not just on Epaphroditus, but on Paul also. God spared Paul the sorrow of losing this wonderful man.
I feel this morning a little of what Paul must have felt. God had mercy and spared my friend. And not just mercy on her, but on me and her family and friends and all those who benefit from her life among us. Over the last couple years, many of our fellow workers and soldiers in Christ have gone to be with the Lord. We are sorrowed because of our loss. This time, however, God spared us that. Instead of sorrow upon sorrow, we have joy upon joy that she has been returned to us.
Thank you, God, for your healing and for giving our friend back to us. We rejoice today. Amen and Amen.
