Dr. Wesley L. Duewel- God's general will for mankind is physical and mental health, but it is not always God's will to heal in a specific situation. God's grace is built even into our genes and chromosomes. God does not delight in any suffering, whether it be physical illness, cruelty, persecution, or deprivation.
He is pleased when mankind seeks to discover the medical and surgical procedures that benefit life. We should use great boldness in prayer for the physical, emotional, and mental healing of ourselves and others. (Google image, Doctor writing prescription)
We have every right to plead God's promises in holy persistence until God checks us or suggests that healing is not His will. Undoubtedly it would please God if our faith for healing were much stronger.
Divine healing for physical and mental affliction is common on the mission fields. Christ must prove that He is the living, prayer-answering God in contrast to the impotent false gods and religions of pagan nations.
It glorifies Christ to answer prayer. Perhaps we who have shared such full gospel light to not need so many evidences of the supernatural. On the other hand, God is just the same today as He has been in the past or will be in the future. (Heb. 13:8). This means He is the same in wisdom, compassion, love, power, and readiness to answer prayer.
There are occasions when suffering can bring blessing to the person who suffers and to others who observe the grace God gives to the sufferer. Sickness is sometimes permitted by God because, through it, He will gain the glory (John 11:4).
Most commentators believe that Paul's thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:7-10) was physical illness of some kind, probably eye trouble. Interestingly enough, it was because of illness that Paul was able to found the church in Galatia (Gal. 4:13).
The Galatian Christians loved Paul so much they would gladly have plucked out their own eyes and given them to him if that had been possible (4:14-15). Paul asked for healing, not just once, but three times. It was right for him to ask until God healed him or else refused his request. This request was eventually refused as explained in (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).
Prayer for the extension of life. Sometimes God does grant our request, even if it is not his perfect will, to teach us a valuable lesson. For example, Hezekiah may have been too insistent in his prayer for deliverance from death. (Isa. 38:1-6).
"Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. He prayed to the Lord, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign. But Hezekiah's heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the Lord's wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem" (2 Chron. 32:24-25). God extended his life fifteen years. During those added years his son Manasseh was born.
When Manasseh succeeded his father Hezekiah as king, he was the complete opposite of his father. He cursed the nation by introducing idolatry wholesale and became known for his cruelty and bloodshed. Juda was destroyed as a nation under this rule.
"Surely these things happened to Judah according to the Lord's command, in order to remove them from his presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done." (2 Kings 24:3). How much better, it would seem, if Hezekiah had not been so insistent on living longer.
Naturally we would all like to postpone death for as long as possible. Too, there are certain situations in which it would appear that God's will would be to prolong life (for example, the parents of young children, Christians in critical places of leadership, and so on). Unless God checks us, we should feel free to ask Him to extend the life of His servants. But let us always pray for His will above all else.
(Chapter 30, p. 228-230, italics added for emphasis)
Father, we look to You for physical and mental healing, as we know You don't delight in any suffering, whether it is physical illness, cruelty, persecution or deprivation.
Today's Bible verses-
Proverbs 14:31 "Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him."
Hebrews 13:16 "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
~ The Lord God wants us to come to Him for advice, protection and provision, as He is our Father, the One who has compassion for us and knows our every need. He longs to show Himself to be a Good Father to those who have reverential fear of Him. It is to our benefit to acknowledge His concern for us, as then we can be embraced by His loving care, much like a father caring for his children in their needs.
The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,
located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,
broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15
You can view past services too.
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