Healing

Have you been to a doctor’s office lately? It is not filled with people who are well. The healthy have no need for corrective lenses, antibiotics, heart medication, cancer treatments, hearing aids, or surgery. As Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician.” But when vision becomes blurry, the infection won’t go away, chest pains come, and concerning symptoms occur, you head to a doctor right away.

We live in a broken world in need of healing. Sometimes restoration is necessary between two people whose friendship has been damaged, or from a dating relationship where infatuation turned to disillusionment turned to rejection, or a husband and wife whose relationship has fallen on hard times. Sometimes, we need emotional healing when a hurt drives us to discouragement, even despair. Today, let me introduce you to Yahweh Rapha.

After tragedy struck Job’s life, he moved into the natural and normal period of questioning. Then, as we saw last time, God rescued Job from his downward spiral and refocused his vision. Job was looking at his situation; God said, “Time to look at me.” With his eyes on the person and character of God, Job responds.

Normally, we are the ones asking, “Why?” But in today’s passage, God turns the tables. Speaking “out of the whirlwind,” God peppers Job with questions. Anytime God begins the conversation with “Dress for action like a man,” you better know that God has something to say, and he wants you to hear it!

Tiny hands waving about uncontrollably. A shrill cry piercing the damp air of a borrowed cave. A mother’s peaceful smile. A mysterious smile on the face of her husband, who helped deliver a miracle. And the Word became flesh: God confined to an infant.

God stands by the brokenhearted. But he doesn’t just stand by. He is not a passive onlooker. He comes to us in our brokenness as the Divine Doctor, the Sovereign Surgeon, the Holy Healer. He brings exactly what we need at the precise moment we need it, not a moment too soon, not a second too late.

When you read devotionals pertaining to marriage, some of you may feel like I am rubbing salt in your wounds. That’s certainly not my intent, and for those who have been divorced, I know the pain is deep. And I know many of you tried so hard to keep your marriage together. You can’t undo the past. You desire to make your life count for God. Thank God he offers forgiveness and restoration to us all.

No wonder the people were filled with awe and praised God! You’d have praised God right along with them had you been part of the crowd. But wait ... you are a part of that crowd today. So don’t get stuck in thinking God's praiseworthy power and authority is limited to physical healing.

To live a life that is spiritually healthy, our heavenly Father must always be at the head of the line. We must jettison our own wants and desires and live in obedience to him. True wisdom begins when we embrace both God and his instruction. Only our heavenly Father always knows best.