Ten years ago, a brother suffered from a serious illness. I would often see him grappling with pain everywhere, both in town and at church meetings.
Although he did not tell me about his condition, one day, while I had decided to go witnessing, I saw him at the market in pain. I therefore approached him, and after speaking with him, I urged him to visit the hospital immediately. I accompanied him there.
After a series of tests, we were referred to a larger hospital for more extensive examinations, where he was finally diagnosed with cancer of the spleen. I broke down when the doctor told me privately that there was no hope. How was I to break this news to him and his family?
With no other option, I began sharing the Word with him about suffering and eternity: "The pain we are in today cannot be compared with the glory and joy in heaven." He was a faithful brother in the church.
Having set his hope on things above, one day, after a review at the hospital, I gathered the courage to speak to him about his condition.
"Brother, with men there is no way for us, but let us look to how Christ suffered unjustly while on earth, yet endured it patiently," as recorded in 1 Peter 2:19–21.
I did not receive any strong response to my fellowship with him. However while on our journey back home, we ran out of money. I therefore resorted to asking for a free ride, which a good Samaritan came to our aid. In the car, the brother asked, "Pastor, why are you not preaching the Gospel to the driver, the owner of the car?"
Wow, I was so much into myself by then, but I became happy and shared the Word. The man received the Gospel with joy, making us all so happy that we sang in the car.
Then I realised that when we are closer to the Lord through His Word, even death cannot take away our joy in Him. He later passed onto the Lord.
"The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?"
(Proverbs 18:14)
Saints, let's see the importance of the WORD of God in these times.
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