“I thought, I won’t see the Lord. The Lord is in the land of the living” (Isaiah 38:11 CEB).

I’m kind of a baby when I feel sick. I’ve been known to whine, stumble, speak gibberish—and that’s just in response to a tiny cold. A few years ago I was experiencing motion sickness on a plane and prayed desperately for God to end my life… the guy next to me promptly put his headphones on to muffle my moaning.

Other people actually have to endure severe illness, either their own or that of their loved ones. Like Hezekiah in the verse above, they may think God doesn’t dwell among those close to death, but this is not at all the case. In fact, some people believe spending time with the sick is a sacramental act, a special way to experience the presence of the God who pays special attention to those who are suffering.

After being miraculously healed, Hezekiah had a change of tune,

“What can I say? God has spoken to me; he himself has acted” (Isaiah 38:15).

God doesn’t always oblige our requests for healing. This is a difficult reality to come to terms with, but let us hope in the knowledge that God always remains close to every single person who hurts.

O God, please comfort those of us who are sick. Please encourage the rest of us to be caring and compassionate. Amen.