Dumaguete - Ending

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As we made our weary journey homeward, the Lord guided our steps to visit a dear brother in Quezon City, who is currently passing through a most difficult and trying chapter of his pilgrimage. His physical frame is sorely vexed, having wrestled these many months with a severe affliction of the back—a pain so sharp and persistent that even the simplest motions are rendered excruciating to him. Yet, this trial is compounded by a heavier concern: he is now facing the disheartening prospect of being stripped of his earthly livelihood, for his body can no longer sustain the demands of his daily employ. His strength doth fail him for his duties.

May the God of all comfort minister to his body, sustain his spirit amidst this double chastisement, and show him that even this crucible of affliction is measured out by the hand of the Sovereign Physician for the eternal profit of his soul!

Photo by K

The visit was, alas, of brief duration, yet it afforded us the cherished opportunity to share a simple at a nearby ramen house. During this respite, we spoke little of his worldly employ or the severity of his corporal pain. Truth be told, I confess that this poor frame was utterly spent from the arduous journey, and I frankly zonked out at the very table, having scarce secured three hours of slumber on the preceding night.

Notwithstanding my physical feebleness, we did conclude our consecrated time together with earnest exhortation for our brother to take up and patiently bear his cross, committing his soul and his afflictions fully to the sovereign hand. And we lifted our hearts in solemn prayer for the LORD's will to be perfectly wrought in his present sanctification.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted;
that I might learn thy statutes.
Psalm 119:71  
Matthew Henry writes: That it has been the advantage of God's people to be afflicted. David could speak experimentally: It was good for me; many a good lesson he had learnt by his afflictions, and many a good duty he had been brought to which otherwise would have been unlearnt and undone. Therefore God visited him with affliction, that he might learn God's statutes; and the intention was answered: the afflictions had contributed to the improvement of his knowledge and grace. He that chastened him taught him. The rod and reproof give wisdom.
 
Photo by M

We are taught by the sacred text that suffering is not a mere accident of this fallen life, but rather an ordained channel through which the Almighty brings forth wonderful, eternal things. For the soul that is afflicted, it secures an absolute and necessary dependence upon God, weaning the heart from its foolish reliance upon the world's frailties. Simultaneously, it creates the golden opportunity for the brethren to put Christian love into vigorous action, manifesting true charity in deeds rather than in mere eloquent sentiment.

We must engrave upon our hearts the blessed truth that our sanctification—the conforming of our character to the image of Christ—is far more important than the temporal securing of what our limited understanding presumes to need. For we rest in the solemn assurance that the Heavenly Father will always do what is right, and His right hand works all things for the purification and ultimate glorification of His children.

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