Trophimus Left Sick by Paul at Miletum

    "Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick." Did you, Paul? And why did you leave him sick, when you possessed the power of working miracles? Why were you so profuse of your miracles in Melita, while you are so sparing of them among your best friends? For the very reason of showing that miracles are rather for the proof of the gospel, than for the private benefit even of the heirs of glory. God is sovereign in this as well as in every thing else. Jesus healed the ear of the servant of the chief priest, while Paul did not heal his friend Trophimus. The apostles exercised their power, not by their own discretion or caprice, but by the suggestion of the Holy Spirit. This, then, is a providential fact, the record of which, though to human wisdom trifling, yet is of great importance to the children of God. They are not to expect that they will be always free from sickness, or that their sickness will always be soon dismissed. They have reason to trust that God will always be with them, and will turn every thing to good for them. But they must submit to him as a sovereign who gives no account of his matters.