Jehovah-Rapha – The Lord Who Heals
Healing is a complex subject among believers. We want to have faith that God will touch our pain-wracked body and make it well. We pray fervently for those we love who face down Cancer or COVID or another threatening diagnosis. At the same time, we know some go on hurting and many people die.
Some explain that healing is meant spiritually. Few doubt that God gives salvation or “spiritual healing” to 100% of those who ask—trading our wicked hearts for clean, born-again hearts fit for heaven—but they lack confidence in his willingness to always heal our physical ailments. We concede that He can, but is He willing?
Jesus came to show us the Father. He said in John 14:9, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” As He went from town to town, the Bible recounts that Jesus healed all the sick. When the leper begged, “Lord you have the power to me well, if only you wanted to (Luke 5:12-13 CEV).” Jesus lovingly touched this unclean man and responded, “I want to.”
Is it our own fault if we don’t see our bodies restored? Is it our lack of faith? Is God a liar?
If God is to be true and big, must we settle this question?
No. The question we must settle is: Is God true and big?
This was the dilemma facing the Hebrew children in the wilderness when they heard the report of the spies returning from the land God promised them. There were giants in the land (Numbers 13:32-33)!
When we hear the evil report from the doctor or confront waves of pain, we must decide who is bigger – the giants in the land or our God who has said that He heals all our diseases.
Most of the Israelites fell on the side of doubt and never entered their rest. Two believed and saw the promise fulfilled. Did they have to wait it out for 40 years? Did they fight battle after battle to win what was already theirs? Did the doubts of others set them back?
Yes, yes, and yes, but God was faithful to deliver what He promised.
Don’t faint in the face of the giants! Stand and fight, doing all God shows you to do. He is faithful and true.
“So put on God’s armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy’s attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.” – Ephesians 6:13 GNT
What do these verses show you about the nature of God?
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