WHEN HEALINGS DON’T TAKE PLACE?

If one is open minded with Scripture, it’s obvious that God is for healing in the life of the believer. In fact I would go so far as to declare that God does not actively send disease. Disease is the result of Satan’s temptation, free will and the Fall.

Except for direct judgments by the Lord on the wicked, Satan is the one who manipulates the weather or natural means to bring disease, Job 1 & 2.

However, the Lord provides healing for His people:  He reveals Himself, as the “Lord your healer”, Exodus 15:26. He forgives all our iniquities and heals all our diseases, Psalm 103:3.

Jesus, who healed and raised the dead, promised, that “Whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do, and greater (amount, Greek, Vincent) than these will he do.” John 14:9

In III John 2 John provides the model we are to pray for one another that “I pray that all will go well with you, and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul” ESV.

To top it off James tells us that any sick believer should call the elders, and “the prayer of faith will save the sick.” James 5:15

Frankly, I believe the church is too timid about divine healing. Thirty years ago, I once had a Pentecostal preacher tell me I was too strong about healing. That’s kind of a laugh, as I’m an ordained Baptist minister, not often accused of making too much about healing.

THE POINT I’M MAKING IS WHY DON’T ALL GET HEALING WHEN WE PRAY?

Let’s not turn into Job’s comforters and tell people that “don’t have enough faith”, or “there’s something wrong with us” (and there always is), or healing is “not for our day.” I think there’s something missing from the whole discussion of divine healing.

THE KEY IS PAUL’S THORN IN THE FLESH

Frankly, we don’t know what that “thorn” was, as He doesn’t tell us other than saying it was  a “messenger from Satan” II Corinthians 12:7, which kept him from being “conceited” (ESV).  God told him that my power is made perfect in weakness” v. 9. “The power of Christ may rest upon me.” V. 15.

There may be delays in healing, as you battle with the Lord against the enemy. That certainly was true of Paul’s companions, Philippians 2:30; I Timothy 5:23; II Peter 4:20.

Paul did not have things “go well with him” as he faced decapitation by Nero. Yet he testifies, “I have fought the good fight” II Timothy 4:7.

THE EXAMPLE OF PASTOR TOMAS KRISTA OF SLOVAKIA

Pastor Tomas was discovered to have terminal cancer. Though prayers and various means were attempted the cancer did not go away. Having a short time to live, nevertheless Pastor Tomas preached when he could, taught at their camp, and continued to write to his flock and family. Sometimes spending 12 hour days ministering to married couples! Finally, on Easter Sunday he wrote his last lines, “There is no better morning to face the fact of death---because today we are focused on our living hope that life for us doesn’t end with death.”

This is far better than physical healing. Though waiting for it, though perhaps having to die and then get the healing of a glorified, immortal body when Jesus comes back, NO MATTER. Right now, in our situation of health, financial problems, issues at home and work, we can by faith tap in the the ALL SUFFICIENT POWER OF GOD.

ROSS