The Comfort of Presence in the Word
How Visitation Informs the Life and Death of God's People
Howdy,
When I started in this series looking through the original Westminster Directory of Public Worship part of my goal was to help explain the nature and purpose of Reformed worship and why we do what we do at Bethany ARP. I hope this has been helpful in your own walk of faith. What is particularly useful for me personally are the little asides the DPW has to say about the duties and responsibilities of the minister. It is certainly good for all us to be on the same page concerning what I am supposed to do and also what you as a member should expect to take place. It is also the case that often the most intimate interactions that a pastor will have with the sheep take place in difficult circumstances, often in a hospital room or care facility.
For your preacher then to understand the how’s and why’s of visitation not only gives peace to his soul in the midst of the trial, but also grants comfort to the believer in knowing that they can be expected to be ministered to by the word of God and the presence of Christ in the hope of the gospel. We live in a day where people always are asking for “what works” and what is going to help me in the right now, and sometimes in the believer’s life that comes not in the practical do this type thing that is wanted. Often those things which assist us the most in dealing with stuff we are going through is the remembrance of Jesus and His work, and the application of that in the labor of the Holy Spirit in comforting our souls in ways we may not be able to perceive at the moment, but can look back in providence and know the power of God’s word to do its work.
Let’s read the section for today:
He may, from the consideration of the present sickness, instruct him out of scripture, that diseases come not by chance, or by distempers of body only, but by the wise and orderly guidance of the good hand of God to every particular person smitten by them. And that, whether it be laid upon him out of displeasure for sin, for his correction and amendment, or for trial and exercise of his graces, or for other special and excellent ends, all his sufferings shall turn to his profit, and work together for his good, if he sincerely labour to make a sanctified use of God’s visitation, neither despising his chastening, nor waxing weary of his correction.
If he suspect him of ignorance, he shall examine him in the principles of religion, especially touching repentance and faith; and, as he seeth cause, instruct him in the nature, use, excellency, and necessity of those graces; as also touching the covenant of grace; and Christ the Son of God, the Mediator of it; and concerning remission of sins by faith in him.
He shall exhort the sick person to examine himself, to search and try his former ways, and his estate towards God. And if the sick person shall declare any scruple, doubt, or temptation that are upon him, instructions and resolutions shall be given to satisfy and settle him.
We sometimes use providence as a catch-all in the same way pagans use the words fate and fortune. However, we shouldn’t. Things don’t just happen in the Christian life. As the opening paragraph makes clear part of how we deal with the deep dark valleys is by understanding that God made it, and He didn’t just make it in the sense that some falsely believe He’s merely the Great Architect of the Universe, no we rightly believe that He has ordered it for His own glory. Some would say thinking about God in this manner is masochistic. Others would say we are entering into an argument which tries to redeem evil from what it is. To each of these ideas we would have to say nay! As the DPW makes clear while there is a reason behind everything that happens to us is guided by the hand of the Lord.
One of the other things that the commendation given to the pastor in his visitation is that he would get the mind of the person afflicted off assigning blame and/or wallowing in the why, to get their heart and soul to consider the goodness of God in the midst of whatever they are currently experiencing because it is truly temporary especially in comparison to the eternal glory of the heavenly places in Jesus Christ. Particular focus as you might imagine is given to the very sufferings of our Savior. The comfort of Hebrews 4:14-16 is only possible in this truth:
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
In closing, we also witness in the description of the blessings of visitation that the pastoral heart of the minister is drawn always to expound on the bounty and beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s one of those issues that no matter how often we consider the covenant of grace and all the benefits which we draw from the riches of His love unto us in the good pleasure of the mystery of His will our purchase by Him through the cross it grants unto such a lift of heart so that we more fully recognize what it means to be His, especially in the day of trial. That is part of the reason why the DPW encourages the pastor to make Christ the focus of a visit. For He is not only the best medicine, but in comparison to the trifles of this world, He alone is sufficient to grant hope, even when the day of death is near, for we know in all assurance that we draw closer and closer to Him in love. Taking a check of our spiritual state enables us all to grow in faith, and be able to apply through the power of the Holy Spirit the glories of God for our benefit, both in the now and that which is to come. Christians have much to teach in the gospel to unbelievers most especially in those times when the flesh is weak. For we are reminded that Jesus is strength.
Here’s another thought:
https://www.reformation21.org/articles/the-lost-work-of-pastoral-visitation.php
Blessings in Christ,
Rev. Benjamin Glaser
Pastor, Bethany ARP Church