Don’t you just hate going to the doctor’s office? When I was a kid, I was always afraid to go to the doctor’s office because it seemed like I got a shot every single time I went there. Even today, I avoid it as much as I physically can. Though we often dislike being seen by doctors when we’re sick, we know that their medical advice is often very good for us and our physical health.
We aren’t the only ones who fight against what is good for us.
In Exodus, the Israelites escaped Egyptian slavery, crossed the Red Sea on dry land, and praised God for their miraculous salvation. A few verses later, they were traveling through the wilderness and having a hard time finding water. The only water source they could find was bitter and undrinkable. Instead of trusting the God who had just freed them from Egyptian oppression and praying that He would provide good water, they grumbled and complained against their leader, Moses. God, being immensely gracious and merciful, made a way for the bitter water to become sweet (Exodus 12-15:25) and declared-
“If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in His eyes, and give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer.” Exodus 15:26, ESV
Our God is Jehovah Rapha – the Lord who heals us and restores us! He is the Great Physician.[1] Sadly, Israel often forgot this. They forgot that God was their healer and provider. They forgot that God was doing a good thing for them, so they complained and grumbled about many different things (Exodus 14:11-12, 16:2-3, 17:3, Numbers 11:1, 21:5). But we can learn from Israel’s mistakes and remember who God truly is and what He truly does-
“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:2-5
Our Jehovah Rapha forgives all of our sins. He lifts us out of the pit and redeems our lives. He shows us mercy and steadfast love. He renews and satisfies us, and He does good things for us! And, of course, our God heals us. But He heals more than just physical wounds! He heals our emotional wounds, too (Psalm 147:3). It is so important for us to remember these truths about our God and not forget like the Israelites did.
God is Jehovah Rapha! He is the God who heals. But how do we actually receive healing? What do we do, if anything? The Lord appeared to King Solomon shortly after the Temple Dedication and told him something that I believe can also be very helpful to us today-
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
We’ve been called as God’s people (Romans 8:30). When we need healing, whether it be physical or emotional, it is important for us to be full of humility and to repent of any sin that is in our lives. We must also seek God in His Word and through prayer. While forgiveness of sins is always guaranteed for us (1 John 1:9), healing during our lives on earth is not. God may choose to heal us, or He may choose not to heal us. Whether we receive healing or not, we must remember that everything God does is for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28) and that we will receive full healing once we enter into eternal life (Revelation 21:4).
Looking back at the past year, it is obvious that we are a people desperate for healing, whether it be physical healing from diseases like COVID-19, emotional healing from depression or anxiety, or relational healing between you and someone who has attacked or hurt you. Do not be forgetful like the Israelites were. Your God is a healer! He is Jehovah Rapha! And He is working everything for your ultimate good, even if it doesn’t feel like it. If you find yourself in need of any healing today, humbly seek God and pray-
“Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.” Psalm 6:2
[1] “The Names of God in the Old Testament,” Blue Letter Bible, accessed December 31, 2020, https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/misc/name_god.cfm.
