YAHWEH OUR HEALER

“and said, ‘If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.’” (Exodus‬ ‭15:26‬‬)

God plagued the Egyptians because of their defiance of him. He promises the Israelites that He will spare them of such plagues if they obey His commands.

Someone may ask me, “Do you believe in Divine healing?”  My answer is, “What other kind is there?”  All healing is Divine healing.  God identifies Himself as Yahweh Rapha—the LORD our Healer.

There is the miracle of our body’s resistance to sickness and its capacity to be restored.  Without that, a cut could prove fatal. Obedience to God’s ways makes for a healthier lifestyle. A lot more people will be shot in a bar or contract disease in a brothel on Saturday night, than will happen in a church building on Sunday morning!

Then, there are marvels of medicine. Wisdom from the Creator has been given to druggists and doctors.  The development of vaccines, testing technology to diagnose illness, and surgical methodology to correct it are gifts from Yahweh Rapha.

That is not to discount miraculous answers to prayer.  God can, and does, sovereignly and supernaturally, bestow healing at times. Its rarity is what makes it a miracle, but He does do this—according to His design and not our demand.

Ultimate healing will be found in the resurrection.  It is provided in the atonement. Perfect, painless health awaits an environment where sin is no more. The lifting of the curse frees God’s people from all sickness. We won’t even get the sniffles!

MIGHTY MOUTH

What we say and the way we say it makes such a difference. When our words issue from our lips, they have power for good or evil. Once spoken, just like toothpaste squeezed out of a tube, you cannot put the words back in.  They have a life of their own. 

1.  OUR SPEECH CAN EXTINGUISH OR EXACERBATE CONFLICT. “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.”(Proverbs 15:1). The easiest thing to do when attacked by wrathful words is to respond in kind.  That is bound to fuel the fire of anger.  The wise thing is to respond softly—and that fights the fire. 

2.  OUR SPEECH CAN BE WISE OR WICKED. “The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.” (Proverbs 15:2). A man or woman of wisdom speaks words that disclose their smarts. On the other hand, a person of wickedness speaks words that disclose their stupidity. What we say is an indicator of what we are. 

3. OUR SPEECH CAN BE HEALING OR HURTFUL. “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4). Our words can help make people well, or they can cause a wound.  They bind up or break down. Is what you say healing or hurtful?

May the Lord use our speech to honor Him and help others today.  What we say will do one or the other. 

PURPOSE IN OUR PAIN

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.  (2 Corinthians 12:10)

If you find pleasure in pain, then you have a psychological problem!  So, how are we to understand what Paul says here?  His pleasure is not in the pain itself, but in the purpose for which God permits it and the result that purpose accomplished.

There is something worse than pain—no pain!  Pain is designed as a warning system.  It alerts us to a problem needing our attention.  For example, suppose we never had pain—then we could stand against a hot stove and never realize it was searing our flesh, or we could have an appendix about to rupture and spread deadly infection throughout our body, without being aware of it.  Of course, we look forward to a land where there is no pain—a place called heaven!  We are not there yet, and so long as we live in this fallen world there will be pain, but for the child of God the purpose our Sovereign Lord accomplishes is worth every hurt.  That there are temporal benefits, and eternal blessings, can even bring us to rejoice and glory in our infirmities.  That is what Paul is describing in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10.

Paul uses the third person in this testimony and identifies himself as, “a man in Christ” (v.2).  Everything is grounded in this relationship.  Being in Christ is transformative.  It is an experience all of grace—for we cannot achieve nor deserve such an exalted position.  Being in Christ means that all Jesus is has become available to us and God does not see us as we are, but as He views His Son.  We may not have had the same experiences as Paul, or the same position as an Apostle, but every believer has the same spiritual standing of being “in Christ.”  It also means that everything that reaches us must first pass through Christ and will help shape us into His image.

Fourteen years previously, Paul had a dramatic experience where he was caught up into the presence of God (v.2-3).  He calls it, “the third heaven”—not the first heaven, which is the atmosphere where clouds form and birds fly; not the second heaven, which is what we call outer space where sun and stars shine; but, the third heaven, where God dwells.  Whether he was physically or spiritually present not even Paul comprehends.  Unlike those who have made a mint in our day describing their heavenly trips, Paul heard things he was forbidden to write about.  The Apostle wanted to glorify God, not himself (v.5-6).

Lest Paul be puffed up with pride, God put a governor on his throttle, “a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me” (v.7).  The pain was given by a Sovereign God to accomplish His purposes, though Satan provided the delivery service!  In this fallen world, God takes even evil and works it together for our good (Rom.8:28).

Paul did what any of us would do—instinctively praying for relief.  In fact, this man of faith requests God to remove it three times (v.8).  That should say something to the health and wealth preachers of today!  God had something better than healing, He gave grace (v.9)!  This transformed Paul’s perspective on his pain (v.10).   When the pain is intense and the prayer for healing denied, learn that it is only because God has a higher purpose.

MEET THE MASTER

And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit….  (Mark 5:2)

There has never been anyone like Jesus.  He stands unique—astride over history and eternity—being wholly God and fully man.  There has never been a time that He was not and never a time that He will not be, yet, He had a birth and death in this world.  God became flesh and revealed His glory to us in the thirty-three years that Christ walked the shores of Galilee and the streets of Jerusalem.  Those who met Him, met the Master—the Lord of glory dwelling among humanity.  When they met Him, they were never the same.  Those who do so today experience the same life-changing Person.  In the fifth chapter of Mark’s Gospel, we see three examples of those who met the Master.  What a difference it made for them!

There was a man who met Jesus as the Master over demons (v.1-20).  Here was a tortured soul—a man possessed by a legion of demons.  A legion of Roman soldiers could contain six thousand men!  This fellow was in a horrible state, banished to a life in a cemetery, uncontrollable, self-destructive, and naked. We do not know how he gave himself to such evil, but somehow he opened the door to his heart and these malignant spirits invaded and took over.  Everything was about to change as he met the Master.  No demon—not a legion of them—could resist the authority of Christ!  He commands them to come out, and they must.  This man would never be the same.  Jesus still sets souls free today.  The dark forces that can bind us tremble before Him and flee.

There was a woman who met the Jesus as the Master over disease (v.24-34).  Wherever Jesus went, He was engulfed by masses of people.  They were drawn to Him in their need for they knew He had power like no other to meet those needs.  They hung on His every word for they knew that He spoke like no other with wisdom from heaven above.  There was a woman—plagued by a persistent loss of blood, with its physical impact and social stigma—that believed if she could just get close enough to touch the hem of His robe, she would be healed.  Somehow, in her weakened state, and despite the wall of humanity in her way, she reached out and her faith tapped into Almighty power conquering her disease.  Jesus still can heal the sick today.  Nothing is too hard for Him!

There was a family who met Jesus as the Master over death (v.21-23; 35-43).  Jairus, a ruler of the local synagogue, sought Him, desperate for his little daughter who was dying.  In fact, before Jesus arrives at the home, the young girl dies.  The sounds of grief greet Jesus and the disciples as they walk up to the house.  “It’s too late!” they say.  That might be true for somebody else, but Jesus was not just somebody else!  Jesus broke up every funeral that He attended.  He restores breath to the girl and in the process takes the breath away from all those who were there!  The power of death had to yield to the Lord of Life!

Have you met the Master?  I have—and it is always life changing!  You can meet Him today.  I promise you will never be the same.

THE SUFFERING OF THE SAINTS

Therefore we do not lose heart.  Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  ‎For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory….  (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)

Is healing in the atonement?  Doubtless—every blessing flows to us from that crimson stream of Calvary.  One dimension of our redemption is a new body.  That awaits the resurrection, however.  Romans 8:23 promises, “Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”  I would not deny that miracles take place today and extraordinary healings are experienced.  God is still God, and does what He wishes.  That is different than turning Him into a cosmic errand boy to serve my desires.  To dictate to the Sovereign Lord and demand healing is a blasphemous role reversal.

Many godly people suffer enough without some self-appointed theologian coming on TV and declaring their problem is they don’t have enough faith to receive their healing.  Now, the physical affliction of the saint compounds by the mental anguish of guilt.

Paul was an instrument God used to bring miraculous healings to some—but not all.  “Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.”  (2 Tim.4:20).  Why didn’t you send him an anointed prayer cloth for a donation Paul?  Neither did the Apostle receive his healing though he asked three times (2 Cor.12:7-10).  We do not know specifically what the condition was, and it is possible that this was not a disease, but some other trial.  That pain was caused is clear and despite the prayers of faith, God chose not to remove it.

History is filled with spiritual giants who suffered greatly.  Moses had a speech impediment; Job suffered agonizingly; Timothy had stomach problems—and the list could go on with Amy Carmichael, blind Fanny Crosby, John Newton, Spurgeon, Joni Eareckson Tada, and many more.  Examine the lives of all God has used mightily and you will see a dark thread of suffering—tears and tragedies—woven into the fabric of each.  The health, wealth, and prosperity preachers of today are not worthy to untie the shoes of these anointed afflicted.

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 that pain produces a greater glory.  If we want glory, we must endure suffering—the cross precedes the crown (2 Tim.2:12; Rom.5:3-5; 8:18).  Should we then rate our faith as substandard because we don’t get our miracle?  Examine Hebrews 11:33-40.  Following a roll call of those who saw the miraculous were those who suffered the grievous—and ALL are extolled as heroes of faith!

So, are you sick?  Try to get well!  Ask God to heal you.  Go to the doctor.  Take some medicine.  You will be well someday—even if it awaits that Eternal Day.  If God chooses to permit the pain, then know there is a purpose in it, and that the suffering of the saints will only enhance the future glory.  “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  (2 Cor.12:10)  Don’t lose heart!  Press on to glory!

PICKING UP THE PIECES

 

Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.  Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.  (1 Corinthians 7:1-2)

Should you find yourself in the land of shattered dreams, is it possible to pick up the pieces and move on to a life of fulfillment?  You might have dreamed of marriage and years later you are still single.  Maybe you married and despite your commitment, your mate walked away—divorce dashed your dreams.  Perhaps you were happily married and death snatched your spouse from your arms.  Can you pick up the pieces?  The Corinthians wrote Paul about this, and in the seventh chapter we find God’s perspective.

You can pick up the pieces from DISAPPOINTMENT (v.1-9; 25-38).  It would be a mistake to stereotype all single adults as frustrated people.  Some are quite happy being unmarried.  Scripture teaches that God gives a special gift of singleness to some—a supernatural grace that liberates them to serve Christ exclusively.  Others feel a deep disappointment.  They want to be married, but have not.  There is something worse than being unmarried, and that is marrying outside of God’s will.  Some are so desperate for marriage, they unequally yoke with an unbeliever.  You get the Devil as a Father-in-law when you do!  Remember that in the sovereignty of an all-wise and all-loving God, disappointment can be His appointment.  Devote yourself to living for Christ, wait on the Lord.  Paul was single and satisfied, fulfilled and not frustrated.  You can be.

You can pick up the pieces from DIVORCE (v.10-24).  Paul doesn’t present a comprehensive statement on divorce and remarriage here—he is answering specific questions.  We must look at the whole of Scripture to find the entire teaching.  Although divorce isn’t desirable, it is sometimes permissible.  Paul tells us that if an unbeliever deserts a believer, the Christian is not bound.  Christ also taught that when someone violates one’s vows with persistent immorality, divorce may be allowed.  When divorce occurs for Biblical grounds, then remarriage is permissible.  The goal, however, is to stay together, if possible.  Reconciliation and rebuilding the relationship can be a miraculous testimony to the grace of God.  The believing spouse may lead their lost mate to Christ.  Forgiveness can be expressed, even when trust is broken.  Divorce always brings pain—even when it is unavoidable.  It breaks hearts and children are often the broken pieces.  The church must do all it can to prepare people for healthy marriages, help those with troubled marriages, but minister to those with broken marriages also.

You can pick up the pieces from DEATH (v.39-40).  Unless both spouses die at the same time, then one will face the sorrow of a funeral.  Since the two became one, they will feel like part of them is gone.  The grief-stricken struggle with depression—even anger with God. Thankfully, for His children, there will be a glad reunion day!  Some will remarry.  Make sure you find God’s choice for you, if you do.  You don’t get over this loss—you just learn in time to go with it, and find the supernatural peace Jesus gives.

I pray for those with broken dreams today, that God will help you pick up the pieces!

ARE YOU WILLING?

And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”  Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.”  Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.  (Matthew 8:2-3)

Jesus was willing to touch the untouchable—are you?  The church is the Body of Christ; we are to be an extension of His hands to a world without hope apart from His grace. 

Leprosy was a loathsome disease.  It brought ISOLATION.  Because of the danger of transmission, the leper had to warn people to keep their distance by crying, “Unclean!  Unclean!”  They were often driven from society and forced to live in leper colonies.  Can you imagine what it would be like to live day after day without human touch—no hugs, no kisses, not so much as a handshake—driven away and excluded?  Yet, there are so many like this in our world today—children who have been orphaned with no one to care for them, the elderly who are often warehoused in a nursing home , the homeless—some whose minds are burned out from substance abuse, those with mental disorders stuck a group home.  Nobody comes to see many of them; nobody seems to care.  To touch them may mean to touch someone dirty and disheveled.  Saliva may drool down their chin, food stains may soil their shirt, crumbs fill their lap and sometimes feces fill their pants—all while the smell or urine pervades the air.  Will you touch them?

Leprosy not only brought isolation, but INSENSITIVITY.  The disease robs a person of feeling.  The capacity to feel pain is lost.  All around us we see such—hollow faces and glassy eyes—they are numb from neglect.  What do we do?

Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.  (Fanny J. Crosby)

The insensitivity leads to INJURY.  You might think that to feel no pain would be a good thing—but it would be terrible.  You do not know when you burn your hand, or step on a nail.  Have you seen pictures of lepers with missing digits, maimed and crippled?  A leper might go to sleep on the streets of Calcutta, India, and awaken with a finger gone because a rat chewed it off in the night—and they didn’t even know!  There are folks you will see today whose lives are being gnawed away little by little by this world, and they don’t even realize it.

Leprosy is a picture of what sin is and does.  Sin separates us from people.  It robs us of feeling.  Sin eats away at our life.  It ultimately brings death.  We are all born with moral leprosy.  If we were healed by Christ’s grace, it is because someone reached out to us.  Are we willing?