Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall heal the sick…” James 5:14
Dear Ones:
Does God heal the sick today? Is He limited by medicines, doctors, and hospitals? When we look through Scripture we are faced with many examples of God intervening in the lives of the sick to heal them, and to deliver those who are oppressed by the enemy. Where does one begin in this matter of Divine healing, discovering God’s will and way in it?
In the book of Revelation, in the very first chapter, we are confronted with the risen Christ’s words: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending.” (1:8) Three times in this chapter the Lord speaks in this manner concerning himself, adding a slight difference in the terminology, by saying: “…I am the first and last.” (v.17, 11) To the believer who is truly open and receptive to the revelation of the Glorified Christ, these thoughts and truths are overwhelming, as the terms reveal the sovereign power and authority of God. They also speak of His infinite wisdom and love, the power of His words, and the indisputable grace and mercy of God, as revealed in His “good and perfect will.” How then does the consideration of Christ, revealed in this manner, apply to the matter of healing? If the issue was simply that of physical healing, as the world sees and interprets it, from a human standpoint, one might not consider the sovereignty of Christ, and the glory of God. But since we are dealing with that which is Divine, from heaven itself, by and according to the will of the Eternal God, then we have no choice but to look at the One at the right hand of the Father, there to ask Him: “O Lord, what wilt Thou do?”
Since the fall of man when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, and the curse from sin came upon man, with the certainty that he would die, sin has ultimately been the cause of sickness and death. It is evident that God does not of necessity need, or choose, to heal all men of their diseases, for He was not the cause. However, in His mercy and grace, He desires to do good to His creation, in particular to those who truly trust in Him. Though addressing His people Israel, and dealing with them specifically with regard to healing from disease, He extends His hand to the Gentiles. Naaman the leper was a prime example. Naaman was not a Jew. But God, through, and by the faith of a young servant girl, and apparently other servants belonging to Naaman, Naaman was brought to the point of humbling himself before God, obeying him, and becoming clean. God would heal many mentioned in the Old Testament, according to His mercy, and in His wisdom, but always in answer to faith in Him alone.
In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus went about doing good, and healing many of their diseases and infirmities. Why is widespread healing more pronounced in the New Testament, than in the Old? It is because of the revelation of God in Christ. From the woman who knew in her heart that all she had to do to be healed was to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment, to the blind man who was told to go and wash his eyes in the pool of Siloam, from Bartimaeus to the paralytic, every person who was healed was brought to the place of realizing that Jesus was more than a man. He was the prophet, priest, and King…the Messiah and Savior of the world. Thus faith was placed uniquely in Him, in Christ alone. There was also the recognition, and yielding of the sovereign choice of God to manifest His power to heal. It was the leper who so clearly reveals this by his words: “Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.” (Matt. 8:2)
Dear Father, By Thy power, please heal us in Your wisdom, for Your glory? In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad