The Lord who heals

Do you ever find yourself overwhelmed in life? Do you ever get anxious and worried? How about right now?! These days, who isn’t at least a little on edge, stressed, and anxious? People tend to get that way in a crisis; and a pandemic qualifies as a crisis in my book! All of us are in need of healing… emotional, physical and spiritual healing! One of God’s wonderful names in the Old Testament is Jehovah-Rapha, “the LORD who heals!” If you are emotionally, physically, spiritually in need, turn to Jehovah-Rapha!

This is a name used for God throughout the Bible. God actually refers to Himself this way in Exodus 15:26. Moses had led the Israelites from captivity in Egypt after God brought ten plagues on the Egyptians and provided for the Israelites’ escape through a parted Red Sea. Afterwards, they worshipped God and celebrated a great victory! (Exodus 15:1-3)

Days later they found themselves in the desert of Shur where they were without water for three days. They were thirsty and “grumbled” against Moses, complaining that they had it better in Egypt where they at least had food and water! Great spiritual victories in life are often followed by seasons of despair, dissension and depression. Satan intensifies his attacks after victories in life! He longs to shift our focus from God to our circumstances. He wants to dull our hope and steal our joy. Don’t let him do it! Turn to the LORD who heals!

Some people are struggling these days… that happens in a crisis. You may be physically, emotionally, or spiritually parched in your life, desperate for refreshment and life-giving water. The Israelites thought they had found the water they needed at Marah, but it was bitter and undrinkable! They were angry and they quickly turned on Moses, the man God had called to lead them. When circumstances get difficult, people start looking for someone to blame. It is very difficult to lead in a crisis.

What did Moses do? He did what all of us should do when we are at a loss and unsure… he cried out to God for answers. He prayed! Time and time again in God’s Word, we see great, godly leaders/people, in times of great need, turn to a great God in prayer! God heard Moses, showed Moses a piece of wood and challenged him to throw it into the bitter water, making it drinkable. (Exodus 15:25) God showed the Israelites that He could deliver them and sustain them! God uses difficult circumstances to drive us to our knees and to test us!

When life gets tough, what are you going to do?… Grumble and complain or look to God to provide and sustain?! He will lead you to water! He will quench your thirst! He will heal you!

But God has expectations… He expects humble and faithful obedience from His people. That was His call to the Israelites and it’s His call to us as Believers. 26 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

God graciously and mercifully provided for His people at Marah, despite their failure; but He had even greater blessings ahead for them. He led them from Marah to Elim. 27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water. Exodus 15:27

The numbers 12 and 70 in the Hebrew language point to completeness. God provides completely. God heals completely. God blesses completely, giving the Israelites rest and healing beside the fresh, plentiful waters of Elim. And He will do the same for you! God has the power to turn life’s difficult circumstances from bitter to sweet!

1) Tune into what God is teaching you! Ask Him what lessons He has for you in your bitter circumstances? Ask: “What are you teaching me God? Then, listen carefully to the Lord.

2) Do what is right in His eyes! God doesn’t want you to complain and grumble. He wants you to do what is right - that is to trust Him, to rely on Him, to believe that He will take care of you now… just as He has in the past!

3) Obey His commands. Pay close attention to what He has asked of you… He asks us to be obedient; in fact, He commands it. Is there any area of your life right now where you are not obedient to Him? Will you make the choice right now to walk in obedience to Him?

For much more, click here to listen to Reveled - The Names of God, Part 7 - Jehovah-Rapha.