The
Word of God is full of advice on how to live a healthy life -mentally,
emotionally, financially, physically and spiritually (3 John 1:2). If we ferret
them out of the chapters and verses, we find amazing truth by which to live our
life (Proverbs 4:22).
When
we are sick, God's Word advises us to ask the church leadership to anoint us
with oil and to pray for us. It takes humility and courage to walk down that
aisle and request prayer, but the prayer of faith brings true results in
forgiveness and healing (James 5:14-15).
It
has been said that in ancient time, when a sheep repeatedly wandered away from
the flock, the shepherd broke the wayward one's leg, put it on his own
shoulders, and carried it back to the safety of the flock.
Sometimes,
God has to do this to us too. In order to protect us from harm, trials and
destruction, He often wounds us, but does not break us; He injures us, but
heals us with those same hands (Job 5:18).
When
we abide in the Kingdom of God, healing takes place (Luke 10:9). If we wait on
the Lord, our Great Physician gives us wisdom by His Spirit about what we can
do to facilitate the healing process, as He teaches us to alter our lifestyle
to encourage health.
As
the Lord, our healer, God protects us from the diseases rampant in this life as
we diligently listen to His voice, obey His directives, and keep His
commandments and laws (Exodus 15:26). He brings glory to Himself and joy and
peace to us by these miraculous healings (John 9:2).
Prayer:
Father
God, we know that physical healing is not guaranteed in Jesus' atoning work on
Calvary's cross; yet, You often heal people of their diseases. However, at
times, we bring the illness on our self. We ignore conventional wisdom on what
to eat and drink, how to incorporate exercise into our busy day, and how to
avoid or to cleanse our life of environmental toxins that pervade our country.
We
know that the day of our death is better than the day of our birth
(Ecclesiastes 7:1), and that You delight in the death of Your Saints (Psalm
116:15). As humans we view death as a devastating ending of our life; but as
authentic Believers, You guarantee us eternal life both now and throughout
eternity. We look forward to worshiping You forever, and we bless Your Holy
name.
Thought
for the Day:
Jesus
healed many sick people during His lifetime (Matthew 12:13-15, 14:14, 14:36),
and He is still in the healing business today; some say that if we die, it is
because we were not healed; however, when we pass through death, we receive our
ultimate healing as we enter our true eternal life and are healed forever.
