Exodus 15
26He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
Numbers 12
10When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam’s skin was leprous—it became as white as snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease,
13So Moses cried out to the Lord, “Please, God, heal her!”
14The Lord replied to Moses, “If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.”
Matthew 4
23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
24News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them.
Psalm 103
2Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Isaiah 53
4Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
5But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
God’s Heart for Healing
Healing is in the heart of God. He healed in the past and heals sick people today. That’s true biblically. There are more than 200 references in the Bible revealing God’s heart for healing. For example, God graciously healed King Abimelech, even though Abraham had compromised his wife Sarah (Genesis 20:17). When the waters of Marah were undrinkable, Moses prayed, and God purified the waters. He revealed himself as “the LORD your healer” (Exodus 15:26). Miriam was healed of leprosy, even though she had unwisely criticized her brother Moses (Numbers 12:10, 13-14). The healing ministry of Jesus is everywhere in the four gospels (Matthew 4:23-24).
Three other Scriptures almost appear as evidence that it is our birthright as God’s children to claim or expect healing, provided we have enough faith. Psalm 103:2-5 says that God heals all your diseases. Is the Psalmist speaking metaphorically (note forgives all your sins, is parallel to heals all your diseases) or literally? Isaiah 53:4-6 declares, by his wounds, we are healed. Does this mean that we can demand healing because “healing is in the Atonement”? I would say yes in one sense and no in another. Yes, it is in the atonement but not in the same way as salvation from sin.
I find the phrase, “already—not yet” very helpful. “Already” by faith, we have been redeemed, but “not yet” – it is only when we are finally in God’s presence will we enter into the fullness of that redemption, where there is no more pain or sickness. In between there is some frustration. At times God heals, which is what we long for, other times he doesn’t. His timing is different from ours.
Instead of asking, is healing in the Atonement, I think it’s more helpful to ask, is healing in the heart of God? The answer is a resounding “Yes.” The God who made our bodies from dust cares about our health.
So what should we do? Consider praying 3 John v. 2 as a proactive prayer for the good health of others and ourselves. John the Apostle prays that things will go well with his friend Gaius and that his physical health would match his soul health. Follow his example and pray often for the physical well-being of your family and friends.
When you or your friends are sick, ask God to heal them. No sickness is off-limits. Sore bones? Ask God for his healing touch (Psalm 6:2), Searing back pain? Tell God about it (Psalm 38:7). Fatigued? Bring that to God and confess your sins (Psalm 32:1-4). Depressed? Tell God how your feel and express your hope in him (Psalm 42:5).
If my doctor gives me the crushing news that I have terminal cancer, should I long to be healed and pray in faith that God will heal me? Certainly. Should I consider asking my church leaders to anoint me with oil and pray that God will heal me? Definitely.
Maybe use these words as your prayer today:
I will come in faith, in the sure knowledge that already healing is in the heart of God, as I await the certainty of the new heavens and new earth, where every tear will be wiped away, and I enter into the fullness of my redeemed body. Amen.
We would like to thank Gracecity Church for providing this plan.
Every Day With God 