“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.” - Psalm 103:2-3
Good health is a gift from the Lord. He grants us this gift each moment. Like most of you, I tend to take this gift for granted. I must be honest and confess that I haven't taken my health seriously in the past. That is no longer the case.
Although good health is a gift from the Lord, He is not obligated to grant this gift to everyone all the time. Rather than feeling entitled to good health, we need to recognize it as the gift it really is and thank the One who provided it.
3 John verse 2 says, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” I know that many will pin their theology around this verse. However, this is John's greeting of good will rather than a promise of prosperity and health. Notice he says, “I wish above all things...” This verse conveys John's wish, not God's promise. When I write a personal letter to someone, I will often begin by saying, “I hope this letter finds you and your family in good health.” This is basically what John is saying in this verse. Thus, we cannot use this as a proof text that it is God's will for everyone to be wealthy and healthy.
Sickness, disease and death exists in our world because of Adam's sin in the Garden. It is true that some people are suffering because of bad choices. For instance, cigarette smoking can bring long-term health problems years after a person quits. The same can be said of substance abuse and other unhealthy lifestyles.
But most cases of suffering cannot be directly attributed to bad choices. Covid has killed many. Cancer continues to kill the young and old. Heart disease remains a major problem. Alzheimer's disease is a sad reality for many.
Good health is not promised for everyone. People in the Bible suffered, including strong believers. Job suffered greatly. Paul had a thorn in the flesh. Timothy had a stomach ailment.
Since good health is not guaranteed, we must face these questions: Does God still heal? Is divine healing still possible? There are two extreme views on this issue. On one hand, there are some who feel that divine healing is a thing of the past. They think that supernatural healing died with the Apostles. On the other extreme are those who believe that divine healing is promised for everyone who has faith to receive it.
We have no evidence to prove that divine healing has ceased. There have been too many documented cases of healing to indicate that it still occurs. Many can testify that they have known cases of miracles … including myself. The Bible never declared that healing would cease at some point after the first century.
On the other hand, the Bible never guarantees healing either. In fact, the Apostle Paul prayed for his “thorn in the flesh,” be removed … but his request was denied. We find no record that Timothy's stomach ailment was healed. Paul simply gave him practical advice about treating his problem. In 2 Timothy 4:20, Paul mentions that he left Trophimus sick at Miletus. These men were not healed --- and it wasn't due to their lack of faith.
We must come to the conclusion, then, that God does heal, but does so after the counsel of His own will. God is sovereign. Although we don't understand all the details of His will, He is in control. He is greater than cancer. He is stronger than heart disease. He is God. He has the power to heal anyone of anything at any time.
So why doesn't He? Why do little children die? Why do the best saints seem to suffer the most? Why does He heal one person while dozens with the same disease perish? Doesn't God care? Of course He does. Yet there is more to the story than we can comprehend. He knows things we don't know. The details of His plans are so vast that our finite minds cannot comprehend them.
It is not wrong to ask God to heal someone. We should have the absolute confidence that He can do it. But also we should entrust Him with the outcome, whether it be healing or not.
Here's the sobering truth. Unless Jesus returns in our lifetime, none of us are leaving here alive. All of us will face death. We are currently dying. Since the Garden of Eden, death has prevailed over mankind. Thankfully, the story has shifted. Jesus came and defeated death, hell and the grave. He died on the cross to pay for our sins. His resurrection three days later guarantees the resurrection of every one who believes in Him. That is our blessed hope.
Our hope lies in the fact that one day, Jesus will return. In a split second, every believer will rise to meet Him. Whether we are dead or alive at that moment, we will rise to be with Him forever. In heaven, there will be no sickness or disease.
That is the happy conclusion every believer is longing for.
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