I am seldom sick, but sick I was. Fever increased, symptoms widened, and fatigue deepened. All the tests showed nothing. Medicine was not making any difference. I had asked my friends to annoint me with oil and pray for me, as James 5 exhorts believers to do. In short, I was miserable, and it had gone on for more than two weeks. My wife stayed close, took temperatures, checked on me constantly, and prayed for me.
One evening I was in an easy chair trying to rest half reclined because it was too uncomfortable to be flat in the bed. She quietly came over to me with an open Bible and began to slowly read Psalm 23. As she spoke, I sensed the quiet comfort that only comes from God. Halfway through, she began to weep, but continued through the end. It was quiet. I slowly got up and gently clasped her shoulders to draw her close to me. She softly wept. I thanked her and prayed for her.
I was so aware how much the situation was stressful to her, but she had delivered the message I needed at the right time.
As Proverbs 15:23 says, “To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is.”
Lord, teach us to be careful, to hear you, and to say what you lay upon our hearts. A word in season is a precious gift.
It is a good day to give thanks.
