God still heals today!
Trust Him for your healing! God still heals people as a result of simple faith. He knows your need. He hasn't changed His desire to heal people over the years. From the moment the Holy Spirit came from heaven Jesus was anointed for this ministry. He still cares about every aspect of your life, including your hurts and diseases!
God as our Father wants us to approach Him for healing. Sometimes we find ourselves just reluctant to ask. Maybe we think He is too busy, or that He does not care. Sometimes it seems easier trusting the medical profession rather than Him! In our rush to get better, we just forget to ask God. I wonder how often James 4:2 comes into play, "you do not have, because you do not ask God." It is important to learn to trust Him as our healer even as we come under the care of medical professionals.
If we are to approach God for healing, it makes sense to know that it is based firmly in the Word of God. Without this conviction, we are not sure how to pray or what really to believe. If healing promises are actually found in His Word, then we can approach God with them. Some Christians have never explored these biblical promises, and therefore are confused on this issue. Scripture is very clear on the promises of healing!
Isaiah 53:4-5 reads:
"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."
This passage was written hundreds of years before the time Christ walked the earth. It is a prophecy concerning His future death upon a cross. It tells us that the price for healing was paid for in His sacrifice for us. Just how costly this concept of ransom is borne out by Psalm 49:7-9:
"No man can redeem the life of another or give God a Ransom for him- the Ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough- that he should live on forever and not see decay."
Isaiah 61:1-3 is a second passage containing healing promises. This passage tells us that healing reaches deep into the heart and emotions.
" The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom from captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."
Jesus read this passage in His hometown synagogue stating that it was fulfilled in their hearing. This passage with its wonderful promises is for today!
The Lord clearly intended that His healing ministry would continue after His Ascension. In 1st Corinthians 12:9 we read that God placed ministry gifts in the body of Christ. Included are people with gifts of healing. This suggests there are different expressions of the Lord's healing as it is ministered by people.
We read of God's desire to heal in other sections of the New Testament. The brother of Jesus, James, tells us in his epistle that God desires believers to be in good shape! James 5:13-15 tells the sick to call upon the elders, who will pray in faith. James says the Lord will raise him up. God wants us to follow these instructions.
"And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
Healing is part of the atonement! We have solid ground on which to pray.
Read these two portions of scripture in your quiet time before God, Isaiah 53 and 61. Ask God to give you faith for healing in your life.
|