Our God Is A Healing And Helping God

Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed;
save me, and I shall be saved,
for you are my praise.
(Jeremiah 17:14 ESV)

For months I have been dealing with a skin ulcer that started as a tiny spot that I did not think much about when it began. But it gradually spread and became much larger and incredibly painful to the point I could not move without excruciating pain. And no matter the treatment, even those who were experienced in treating wounds could not rein it in.

You can be sure I prayed, asked for and believed God would heal it. Yet I just ended up frustrated as I continued to lose ground. Why did God not heal this awful wound?

After months, seeing several doctors, and getting more information about how to heal my terrible, unrelenting sore, I have finally gained ground and the wound is healing. I can tell you it is satisfying to see that awful wound closing up now.

Why does God not heal us miraculously all the time? Why do some wounds take months, maybe years to heal? And why do some wounds, both internal and external, never seem to heal?

God is sovereign, and He always knows what is best. Most of the time God does heal us either quickly and miraculously or gradually over time. And when He does not heal us, those are the times we need our faith the most, and when we must rely upon His grace to see us through.

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
(2 Corinthians 12:7-9 ESV)

We praise God when He heals us, giving Him thanks for both the quick and the slow healing. And we thank Him when He does not heal us, for He gives us His grace and peace to endure and survive until we are with Him in eternity. He is sovereign, He knows what is best. He determines what moves us closer to His will and purpose for our lives even when we do not fully comprehend it.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for all the healing You bring into our lives, both the quick and miraculous and the slow and steady ones. And thank You for Your grace to help us bear up under ongoing afflictions. Amen.

Karlton Douglas

Copyright 2016