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FULL OF HEAVINESS
TUESDAY, JULY 19
Philippians 2:26

Ezra 9:5-15

 

“Deal bountifully with thy servant,

that I may live, and keep thy word.”

 

FULL OF HEAVINESS
 
Epaphroditus (Phil 2:25) has been identified with Epaphras in the Epistle to the Colossians. Here, he is represented as sorrowful, even to agony, because his friends had heard of his illness, and he would have wished that no one should be burdened on his account. But in the other epistle, he was represented as always striving for the saints in prayer.
 
It is very beautiful to discover his unwillingness to have his sickness published. When we are in trouble it is best not to speak much of it, save to God. “Only inexperienced sufferers are voluble; those familiar with the secrets of anguish are silent.” Let us anoint the head, and wash the face, that we may not appear unto men to fast, but to the Father who is in secret; and our Father who seeth in secret will Himself reward openly. The Comforter will draw near, will whisper His own consolations, and amid much sorrow we shall be calm and strong.
 
But with Epaphras there was probably another thought. He knew that the Philippians were bearing a very heavy load of sorrow. It was a hard and difficult fight for them, as for him. And, with much generosity, he was most unwilling that the news of his illness should add a feather-weight to their grief.
 
This eagerness to conceal pain, lest it should add sorrow to those who already have almost as much as they can bear, is very characteristic of noble souls. And we may quote here Robert Hall’s words, on recovering from a keen paroxysm of anguish: “I have not complained, have I, sir? No, and I will not complain.” How much of God’s strength and comfort we miss in our incessant endeavour to secure the support which notoriety for pain and privation may bring from our fellows!
(F.B. Meyer)
 
THOUGHT: Who would I go to first when trouble comes my way?
PRAYER: Father, may I lean on Thy comfort and strength, and not man’s.

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