SAD was the sight to me the first time I visited a hospital. So many beds filled with sick people and some of them evidently suffering a great deal. It left an impression that I never forgot. One lesson I was impressed with, was, the great havoc sin had made, for if sin had not entered the world, there would have been no sickness or suffering or death, for the Scripture says, “As by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Rom. 5:1212Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12). So wherever we turn we see the results of sin, but especially in the hospitals.
Some people think this is a bright world to live in, but such, I am afraid, do not visit the sick and the dying, the Poor House, and homes for the blind and infirm. These are places, dear children, that change our thoughts as to this world being a bright and happy place; and let us see what God says in His word, “The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” Rom. 8:2222For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (Romans 8:22).
Ah, it was that terrible condition that caused the Lord Jesus to come down from the glory and die on the cross and rise again, and thus bring in a new creation where sin can never enter, and all evil will be done away. As the result of His death and power to rise again, there will be a new heaven and a new earth. “AND GOD SHALL WIPE AWAY ALL TEARS FROM THEIR EYES; AND THERE SHALL BE NO MORE DEATH, NEITHER SORROW, NOR CRYING, NEITHER SHALL THERE BE ANY MORE PAIN: FOR THE FORMER THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY.” Rev. 21:44And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4).
Good it is to visit the sick, to minister to their need and tell them of that Saviour, who not only saves our souls from hell, but will make all things new, and never allow sin to enter in that new scene, for the life that will be there will he eternal life—the life of God.
May you all, dear children, remember that this is a groaning creation on account of sin, and seek to Minister, to the needs of the suffering and tell them of Jesus.
The sick like to be visited and if you, just think if you were in that place—lying sick, how you would enjoy some kind-hearted person to visit you and talk with you of that bright and blessed scene, where sin will never come; and of Jesus —who earned it for us—to be there and be the object and center of that scene.
May the Lord enable you, who know the Lord, to go on the visiting day with a flower or some fruit or a tract and say a word for your Lord and Saviour.
“Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” Gal. 5:99A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9).
ML 07/22/1906