His Healing Love

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2018 2:55 pm Post subject: His Healing Love

His Healing Love

Scripture:

Say to the fainthearted: Take courage, and fear not: behold your God will bring the revenge of recompense: God himself will come and will save you. Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall be free: for waters are broken out in the desert, and streams in the wilderness. And that which was dry land, shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water.
(Isaiah 35:4-7a)

My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory with respect of persons. For if there shall come into your assembly a man having a golden ring, in fine apparel, and there shall come in also a poor man in mean attire, and you have respect to him that is clothed with the fine apparel, and shall say to him: Sit you here well; but say to the poor man: Stand you there, or sit under my footstool: Do you not judge within yourselves, and are become judges of unjust thoughts? Hearken, my dearest brethren: has not God chosen the poor in this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which God has promised to them that love him?
(James 2:1-5)

And again going out of the coasts of Tyre, he came by Sidon to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. and they bring to him one deaf and dumb; and they besought him that he would lay his hand upon him. And taking him from the multitude apart, he put his fingers into his ears, and spitting, he touched his tongue: And looking up to heaven, he groaned, and said to him: Ephpheta, which is, Be thou opened. And immediately his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke right. And he charged them that they should tell no man. But the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal did they publish it. And so much the more did they wonder, saying: He has done all things well; he has made both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
(Mark 7:31-37)

Reflection:

No one who believes in God is surprised of His power over that which is impossible for us. He is the Creator, therefore, He has the power to change what is beyond us. We might wonder, then, why does He leave us to our own devices? Why does He allow us to make so many mistakes? His mercy is great, but He has given us freewill to give our choices meaning. If we choose against ourselves, which is what we do in sin, He allows the choice, for if He didn't, our choices to turn to Him would have no meaning.

If we regret our choice and are contrite in our appeal for forgiveness, then, through His great mercy, He will save us. He may not save us from what we have created in this world, rather, He will cleanse us so we are prepared for what we will experience in His kingdom; the place where love is shared by all, where there is no pain or affliction, and where evil is not allowed to follow.

If we are afflicted in this world, He will listen to our petitions for healing, but if our healing does not come in this time, we must know, it is because God is more concerned for the health of our soul than our physical body. For some, He granted physical healing, but though He removed their affliction, they often discovered there were still many challenges to face.

There are so many mysteries to miracles, for though they may provide relief, they may also draw persecution. Let us consider the trials of Moses after He experienced the burning bush. Let us consider the persecution of the man born blind after Jesus gave the man sight. The miracles of God astound us, but we must also humbly ask, what is He communicating through them?

If we are afflicted in body or situation, it is right to pray for His healing hand. If we face anguish or are stricken with grief, it is right for us to pray for His hand of comfort. His compassion is great. He tends to us no matter our place in the world. He awaits our prayers and listens with compassion, yet from so many, He hears silence. From others, He hears petitions, but not love. Let us, then, remember Him in prayer; remember to give thanks for the many blessings He brings and the wonderful ways He works within our lives.

In our self-absorption, we may not see those He sends to pull us away from our sins. In our selfishness, we may not see His outstretched hand of mercy, but none-the-less it is there. Let us ask for His forgiveness for all we do to offend Him, for though we are not worthy, He loves us and rejoices at our repentance.

If we face affliction in this world, let us remember, it is but for a time. Should we suffer, let us remember, it is only while we are in this world, if we choose to turn to God. Let us remember, God does not promise happiness in this world, for evil surrounds us, but He does promise happiness in His kingdom, for as we are told, ?He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away.? (Revelation 21:4)

Questions for further reflection:

What afflictions do we need God to heal?

Why should we be more concerned for the health of our soul than for our physical bodies?

In what ways might we recognize the outreach of God to heal us?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier