Knowing the Healing One

Healing occurs in many forms.

Damaged emotions require healing. Destructive thinking needs repair. Wounded souls long for wholeness. Physical needs are prayed for in many situations.

In the book of Exodus, God revealed Himself as Yahweh Rophe, “The Lord who heals,” soon after the Israelites left Egypt for the Promised Land.

He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” Exodus 15:26

In her book “Praying the Names of God,” author Anne Spangler writes,

The Hebrew word rophe means “heal,” “cure,”  “restore,” or “make whole.” Hebrew scriptures indicate that God is the source of all healing. (p. 98)

This definition shows healing as a comprehensive word for the entire being.

Many Old Testament verses offer the hope of healing and wholeness.

Have mercy on me. Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. Psalm 6:2

Lord, I called to you for help, and you healed me. Psalm 30:2

Praise the Lord, my soul,and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases… Psalm 103:2,3

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

These scriptures have touched me many times. Reading and praying them has brought gradual healing to my spirit and soul. As I think about God as healer, I recall when my broken heart has been healed by the love of God and He has restored hope when I felt hopeless. I remember the times when I have regained strength after illness or cancer surgery.

When Jesus healed in the New Testament, he healed the whole person—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Jesus responded to the scribes and Pharisees by saying:

 “…Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Mark 2: 17 NKJV

He is the Healing One.

My friend missionary Judy Woods, shared with me her powerful story of healing. During her illness when she couldn’t get out of bed for over a year, the Scriptures were her anchor. She prayed, asking for healing from extreme pain, and waited. And prayed. And waited. In God’s time He answered.

Like many attributes of God, His healing is hard to comprehend. Even as I write this, I know of people needing the healing touch of God. I don’t know why a child has a disease, or a grandparent get Alzheimer’s. Although I don’t understand, I will pray for those people, seeking God’s healing for them. This I know: we live in a broken, fallen world but God is Sovereign. By turning to Him, we have hope.

A contemporary Christian song, “The Hurt and the Healer” by Mercy Me, describes the point of collision between the hurt in life and the Healer, where glory meets our suffering.  In our pain, the Lord is there.

Are you in need of healing? Take your hurt to the Healer. Rest in His presence.

His love will be a healing balm for you.