The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Message of the Two Witnesses, #12

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

Going to a doctor or taking medicine will not prevent God from healing you miraculously (unless the Lord has told you not to seek medical help, which is unlikely but not unheard of). Is God without power such that if you take a pill He cannot heal you?

Do what is reasonable concerning your condition. Pray first. Confess your sins. Be anointed and prayed for by the elders of your church. Look to the Lord for wisdom as to what you should do.

If you decide to go to a doctor, go with faith and a clear conscience. Pray that God will give the doctor wisdom. Do what the doctor tells you to do. There is psychological counseling that is helpful in the case of depression, addiction, child behavior, child molestation, marital conflict, and other emotional problems.

Sometimes medication assists the healing process.

Maintain a sense of expectancy concerning your healing no matter how much time goes by before the answer comes. Listen carefully to the Lord. He may direct you to change your diet or living habits or may give you insight concerning a practice you did not realize was harmful. Do not let anyone accuse you of lack of faith because you are ill. Think as much as possible about the joyous aspects of your life.

Remember, it is the Lord's will to heal you totally—mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually. This is what the Scriptures declare, both Old and New Testament. Keep on believing and resting in the promise of God until you gain perfect healing.

All aspects of the personality of the saint are eligible for healing. But we must be willing to follow the Lord until we have driven out the enemy.

And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out. (Judges 1:28)

God had commanded the Israelites to totally destroy the enemy. God gave them the land but the Jews were not willing to fight hard enough and long enough to completely drive out the enemy. So it is true that God already has given us the healing we desire. Will we be willing to fight in the Lord hard enough and long enough to gain the victory in body, soul, and spirit that God has promised His saints?

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Thessalonians 5:23)

The healing is there for us if we are ready to go to the Lord with a joyful hope and discover how to follow Him to total victory.

Christians are not to despise professional help. We are not to give people simplistic advice: "you wouldn't be depressed if you had faith or would pray"; "you would not be sick if you had faith"; the child with a learning disability should "try harder"; and so forth.

To be continued.