GOD’S POWER OVER SICKNESS
About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: “This is what the LORD says: Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.” When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, “Remember, O LORD, how I have always been faithful to You and have served You single-mindedly, always doing what pleases You.” Then he broke down and wept bitterly. But before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, this message came to him from the LORD: “Go back to Hezekiah, the leader of My people. Tell him, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and three days from now you will get out of bed and go to the Temple of the LORD. I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for My own honor and for the sake of My servant David.’”
2 Kings 20:1-6 (NLT)
God is all-powerful. We may sing this during worship or agree with the statement if a pastor says it from the stage. But do we truly believe it? Strangely, we may believe on the cosmic scale that God rules and reigns, but do we truly grasp that this includes each of us as individuals? He may sustain the entire universe (Hebrews 1:3), but could He possibly intervene for me?
The answer is assuredly yes. He has total dominion and power, including over sickness in individual bodies. Just look at the story of Hezekiah. He is told that he will not recover from his illness and that he should get his affairs in order. But then he prays to God, who hears and responds. He is healed from his illness and granted an additional fifteen years of life. How gracious is our God!
Jehovah Rapha may not be a name you’re familiar with, but it’s one God gives to Himself. In Exodus 15:26, God promises not to visit upon the Israelites any of the illnesses with which He afflicted their Egyptian captors. He then calls Himself Jehovah Rapha—meaning the Lord who heals. It was true in the time of the Exodus. It was true for King Hezekiah. And it’s still true today.
APPLICATION: Read Romans 12:1. We are called to give our bodies to God. Ask Him to help you do this. Ask Him to increase your faith in His power and sovereignty over even your body. Take a few moments to pray for anyone you know who is ill, trusting Jehovah Rapha to heal according to His will.
PRAYER: Lord, You are the Great Physician. Help me to trust in You to sustain all things according to Your will, including my own body. Thank You for loving me and hearing me when I come to You in prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?