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Co-Working of the Divine and the Human
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and faith. In simple, earnest words he can present the soul’s need
to God in prayer and can encourage the sick one also to ask for and
accept the mercy of the compassionate Saviour. As he thus ministers
at the bedside of the sick, striving to speak words that will bring
help and comfort, the Lord works with him and through him. As the
mind of the sufferer is directed to the Saviour, the peace of Christ
fills his heart, and the spiritual health that comes to him is used as
the helping hand of God in restoring the health of the body.
In attending the sick, the physician will often find opportunity
for ministering to the friends of the afflicted one. As they watch
by the bed of suffering, feeling powerless to prevent one pang of
anguish, their hearts are softened. Often grief concealed from others
is expressed to the physician. Then is the opportunity to point these
sorrowing ones to Him who has invited the weary and heavy-laden
to come unto Him. Often prayer can be offered for and with them,
presenting their needs to the Healer of all woes, the Soother of all
sorrows.
God’s Promises
The physician has precious opportunities for directing his pa-
tients to the promises of God’s word. He is to bring from the treasure
house things new and old, speaking here and there the words of com-
fort and instruction that are longed for. Let the physician make his
mind a storehouse of fresh thoughts. Let him study the word of God
diligently, that he may be familiar with its promises. Let him learn
to repeat the comforting words that Christ spoke during His earthly
ministry when giving His lessons and healing the sick. He should
talk of the works of healing wrought by Christ, of His tenderness
and love. Never should he neglect to direct the minds of his patients
to Christ, the Chief Physician.
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The same power that Christ exercised when He walked visibly
among men is in His word. It was by His word that Jesus healed
disease and cast out demons; by His word He stilled the sea and
raised the dead, and the people bore witness that His word was with
power. He spoke the word of God, as He had spoken to all the