Philippians 2:27 KJV
For indeed he
was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on
me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
The book
of Philippians is a book of joy and rejoicing. This is where we hear "Rejoice in the Lord alway and again I say
rejoice." [1]
This is
where we hear, "Be
careful for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." [2]
But
Philippians does not deny the natural sorrows of life when suffering.
The
Apostle was suffering.
- He was in prison
- He had lost a good deal of companionship
- He had seen Demand forsake him and
- He had grieved that Epaphroditus was sick
God's
mercy had been shown to Epaphroditus in healing him but also to Paul. He
confesses his sorrow would have been compounded by the loss.
Sorrow is
normal and natural. It is a part of what it means to be human. It is right and
proper and healthy to sorrow. But it should never stifle us. God's mercy is
always available and God's grace is always sufficient.
Sorrow
when appropriate. But in sorrow seek the Lord. Find his grace for strength and
recover joy.
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