No matter where you stand on the subject of God’s willingness and power to heal, at one time or another, every Christian has questions, either for themselves or for a loved one who is unwell. I’ve had them myself.
The answer to these questions can always be found in God’s Word. Here are some scriptures that emphasize the truth:
Exodus 15.26 – “I am the Lord, your healer.”
Deuteronomy 30:19 – I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live,
Psalm 103.2-5 – Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Pastor and teacher, Barry Bennett, speaks to our questions in his daily devotional “Hear and be Healed“
Why does a young woman die from brain damage after having a successful surgery to remove a tumor? Why does a father have to die so young leaving his wife to be a widowed mother of three at age 40? Why do children suffer and die from cancer?
Questions like these are asked by Christians around the world as they struggle with the tragedy of the death of loved ones long before their time. Sadly, in many churches these believers are instructed to trust in the sovereignty of God and accept the fact that He was in control of these events.Could this possibly be true? In many of these same churches the doctrine of healing is not taught and sometimes even attacked as false. Even while precious saints are suffering and dying in their churches, some spiritual leaders offer no answers and disparage those who believe that it is God’s will to heal.
I was once asked by a pastor to explain that if I believed in healing and that God wanted to heal all, why didn’t I go to the local hospital and empty it? He failed to understand that the same question could be asked about salvation. Is God willing that any should perish? No. Then why won’t that pastor go to the same hospital and get everyone saved? Most of us know that people must hear the Good News and believe in order to be saved. We can’t make people come to salvation, but we can preach the Gospel to them. In a similar way, we cannot make people receive healing but we can certainly share the promise of God with them and give them a chance to believe.
Great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. (Luke 5:15)
God is not participating in the untimely deaths of anyone, nor does He determine who is saved and who is lost. God has given us the Gospel of His power (Rom. 1:17) that brings salvation (both spiritual and physical) to all who believe. The choice is ours. Power and authority over sickness has been invested in the church. Let’s quit wallowing in unbelief and preach the Truth so that men may be saved and healed.
by Barry Bennett – shared with permission
In the end, I believe it would be safe to say, our questions on healing honestly come down to where we stand regarding God’s Word. With a renewed mind (Romans 12.2) and the wisdom of The Holy Spirit to teach us (1 John 2.27) we can arrive at the understanding that God’s plan is health for every one of His children. The scriptures are clear.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
Psalm 107:19-21
and he delivered them from their distress;
he sent forth his word, and healed them,
and delivered them from destruction.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to the sons of men!
Contentment Cottage 