Daily devotion – when illness strikes
Phl 2:27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
Epaphroditus, was a marvellous support to Paul and tremendous diligent servant to the Church. But we find arriving in Rome and becoming seriously ill. Epaphroditus stood beside Paul in his prison experience and even his own sickness did not hinder his service.
We also find another amazing servant ill by the name of Trophimus.
2Ti 4:20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.
Illness comes without warning and sometimes we are in a quandary as to why. Also, why did Paul not heal him?
The Bible tells us plainly that not every sick person is supposed to be miraculously healed.
There are times when we find ourselves unwell and unable to do what we normally could do. It happens and there is not something unusual or bad to be the cause of it.
We live in a fallen world in a fallen body and there are times when we are struck down.
The important thing at such times is not to go into some self-deprecating journey looking for reasons as to your illness. But to maintain our love for Christ even when we are sick.
Whatever illness Epaphroditus suffered it was serious because he almost died from it! What Paul did do was praise God for His mercy shown to Epaphroditus in restoring him to health and in sparing Paul…sorrow upon sorrow.
Let us not allow sickness or illness to derail our love and walk with God. But during such times let us rest in His care and look to Him for His mercy.