When people think of miraculous healings of the Bible who comes to mind? Blind Bartimaeus, perhaps, or the healings performed by Elisha. The ten lepers cleansed miraculously by Jesus, or the demon possessed freed of their tormentors.
But don’t forget Job, Jacob, and Paul too. Job was inflicted with boils, and they healed him of his self-righteousness. Jacob limped away from wrestling against God, and it healed him of self-reliance. Paul lived with a thorn in his flesh, and it kept him from being conceited.
The litmus test for the healing power and perfect care of God isn’t whether or not we can put away the band aids, crutches, eyeglasses, medications, or syringes. It isn’t whether or not the pain decreases from an 8 to a 3 or the blood counts are stabilized or STDs are contained.
God’s health care promises the perfect care of Jesus. That means when defect, disability, or discomfort remains, Jesus uses it as his servant.
When Jesus heard that his good friend Lazarus became critically ill he didn’t go to him promptly and Lazarus died. People perceived it as coldhearted indifference but Jesus explained otherwise, “This sickness … is for God’s glory … so that you may believe” (John 11:4,15).
Don’t blame God by making him the bad guy when you or a loved one aren’t healed as promptly as you’d like. Don’t give up on faith in God’s perfect care when you or a loved one are still taking tests or hospitalized despite your prayers asking otherwise. We have no right to demand from God that he heal us at our time in our way according to our plan.
We aren’t God. We don’t have the right to glory that belongs to him, and if he’s going to be glorified by my allergies or your cancer or my gastro esophageal reflux disease or your bum back then who are we to rob him of that right?!
“This ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, diabetes, hearing loss, stomach ulcer is for God’s glory.” God’s healing will come. Maybe in your body. Definitely in your soul, your attitude, your character, your faith or will power.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, you suffered so incredibly that you died from your crucifixion. I’ll never suffer that terribly, but I will suffer. I will get sick. I will be diagnosed with a disease. When it happens, remind me of your cross but also of your resurrection. And your promise that you are Lord of all sickness and pain. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Slow down, and use the PRAY acronym.
- Praise (tell God what you appreciate about your health or sickness)
- Repent (tell God about your sins that misdiagnose his care as incapable, trust in his promises of forgiveness)
- Ask (go ahead, think big, or focus on a small detail, God wants to hear it all, how can you be healed more spiritually?)
- Yield (talk to God about the next step after you say “Amen,” how you want faith to lead the way, how you are willing to be part of his answer and see it develop for your good)