""But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they
       tell him of her."" 
              — Mark 1:30

Very interesting is this little peep into the house of the Apostolic
Fisherman. We see at once that household joys and cares are no
hindrance to the full exercise of ministry, nay, that since they
furnish an opportunity for personally witnessing the Lord’s gracious
work upon one’s own flesh and blood, they may even instruct the teacher
better than any other earthly discipline. Papists and other sectaries
may decry marriage, but true Christianity and household life agree well
together. Peter’s house was probably a poor fisherman’s hut, but the
Lord of Glory entered it, lodged in it, and wrought a miracle in it.
Should our little book be read this morning in some very humble
cottage, let this fact encourage the inmates to seek the company of
King Jesus. God is oftener in little huts than in rich palaces. Jesus
is looking round your room now, and is waiting to be gracious to you.
Into Simon’s house sickness had entered, fever in a deadly form had
prostrated his mother-in-law, and as soon as Jesus came they told him
of the sad affliction, and he hastened to the patient’s bed. Have you
any sickness in the house this morning? You will find Jesus by far the
best physician, go to him at once and tell him all about the matter.
Immediately lay the case before him. It concerns one of his people, and
therefore will not be trivial to him. Observe, that at once the Saviour
restored the sick woman; none can heal as he does. We may not make sure
that the Lord will at once remove all disease from those we love, but
we may know that believing prayer for the sick is far more likely to be
followed by restoration than anything else in the world; and where this
avails not, we must meekly bow to his will by whom life and death are
determined. The tender heart of Jesus waits to hear our griefs, let us
pour them into his patient ear.

On this day...

• Holding Fast the Word of Life in 2010 - 2011
• Praying in the Closet and in the Spirit - 2011
• If You Abide In My Word, You Are Truly My Disciples - 2011
• Bethlehem's Antioch Moment - 2011
• Where He is known in this dimension, there is a healthy fear of the Lord - 2011
• It involves more risk than we assess prudent to take - 2011
• Psalm 90:17 - 2011
• Faithfulness - 2011
• Establish - 2011
• Elect - 2011