OUR GOD STILL HEALS TODAY

There is special protection for the people whose God the Lord is, when Israel left Egypt the uniform testimony from God’s Word testifies that “there was not one feeble person among their tribes” (Psalm 105:37). So mighty was the manifestation of God’s love and power in the midst of His redeemed, peculiar people. However, on their way to the promised land they took God’s special love for granted, by showing evidence of moral weakness and carnal tendencies at the moment of need and difficulty. God gave them the condition for blessing and continued health. He made the healing covenant with them and carefully outlined His conditions for their enjoyment of the special privileges of a special relationship. For us as Christians today theres much for us to learn from all these if he would enjoy the benefits of God’s covenant with him. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning” (Romans 15:4)

1.   CAUSES AND REASONS FOR SEVERE SICKNESS

      Exodus 15:26; Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 31:10; 105:37; Jeremiah 30:12-15;

      1 Corinthians 11:27-30

      Sickness came into the world through sin. Man turned away from God in disobedience; he lost the blessing and protection of God, came under a curse and brought the judgment of death upon himself. There are numerous occasions, sickness came as chastisement from God because of sin. The barrenness in Abimelech’s household, blindness of the Sodomites, the leprosy upon Miriam, insanity of Saul, sickness of David’s child, sudden death of Ananias and Sapphira, the shameful death of Herod. (John 5:1-9,14; Luke 11:24-26).

However, there comes a time in the life of every one when there is discouragement because of the set seasons of trials and temptations, sickness and health, happiness or sadness, abundance or lack, opposition or acceptance. And since there is bound to be delay, roughness of the road, personal peculiarities, challenges in the family, etc. discouragements will come. But the believer’s reaction during these period will either spell delight or doom for him. When faced with challenges, the children of Israel chose to speak, not unto God but against God and Moses. The situation also blinded their eyes to realities as their confession of lack of water and bread was a blatant lie God had been providing for them. Consequently, “the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.” The talented believer must be careful so as not to incur the wrath of God through presumptuous handling of spiritual things as some Corinthians did by partaking of the Lord’s Table unworthily and became sickly and others died prematurely. There are moment where sicknesses is as a result of our personal negligence on health related issues and hygiene.

The examples given show that all kinds of sins and negligence brings sicknesses into many lives. When there is sickness, the first thing to do is to find out if they are as a result of sin. If that is the case, there should be prayer of repentance and faith for healing. But if there is no known sin, then resist Satan and sickness, and pray in faith, expecting healing from the Lord.

2.    CONDITIONDS FOR HEALING TODAY

       Exodus 15:26; 23:22-26; Psalm 107:17-20; Isaiah 57:17-19; John 5:14; Mark 9:17-23

       Healing is the natural result of meeting the conditions stated by God in His Word. The truth must be obeyed and unwavering faith exercised before God heals and delivers the sick. All the powers of darkness cannot keep a believer sick if and when the conditions are met. There are no excuse for children of God to be sick and defeated by Satan, for all things are possible to him that believeth. You can be healed instantly when you believe the truth. Obedience to God and faith in Christ will automatically set you free. Avoid living in ignorance and unbelief but take an aggressive stand against sin, unbelief, sickness, and no disease or demon will hold you in bondage. God in His mercy will not only save man from sin but also from sickness. So to be save, the conditions of repentance and faith must be met. To be healed, the conditions of obedience and faith must be met. God’s aim is to heal us and get us on our feet for active duty in His service. God never heals His people merely to relieve them from pain. When he takes off the burden of sickness and disease from us, it is that we may walk in the way of His commandments.

3.    HEALING AND HEALTH FOR GOD’S OBEDIENT PEOPLE TODAY

       Exodus 15:26; 23:25; Deuteronomy 7:15; Psalm 103:1-3; Jeremiah 33:6; 3 John 2;     

       1 Peter 2:24

       God promised the children of Israel that He would heal the sick and keep those who were well healthy. God has promised through Christ to heal and keep us healthy too. His promise cannot fail. God is an efficient Healer. He puts His own Omnipotence into operation when He heals, and no disease can resist His power. He is a practical healer. His healing is not merely an internal, invisible healing which cannot be verified. He gives practical relief and healing to the sick. He is a universal Healer. Before God, there is no incurable disease. There are no limits to the manifestation and operation of His power. He is a permanent Healer. His healing work is not only perfect but permanent. He can restore a patient to his former state of health and at the same time give him the assurance that the disease from which he has suffered shall never return to him. This is a matter beyond the reach of ordinary medical ability. He is a glorious Healer. What a great Physician we have.

God made a covenant with His people to heal them and He always kept His part of the covenant. All through the wilderness journey, the Israelite always received healing whenever they came to God on the condition of obedience and faith in Him. God always heals when men come to Him in repentance, obedience and faith. He say, “I am the LORD, I change not” (Malachi 3:6).