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In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The
prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, "This is what the Lord
says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not
recover." Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord,
"Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with
wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And
Hezekiah wept bitterly. Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: "Go and
tell Hezekiah, 'This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I
have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your
life.'" Isaiah had said, "Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the
boil, and he will recover." - Isaiah 38:1-5, 21 NIV
In the above passage, though King Hezekiah was on his deathbed and had
already been told by the prophet Isaiah that he would not recover, he pleads
with the Lord to deliver him. Many of us would have just accepted the bad
report we had received, yet this man of faith sought God's mercy and power
in his darkest hour. God not only healed him, but He increased his life
another fifteen years as well. I believe that God is using Hezekiah as an
example here to show us how essential prayer is when we are in need of
healing. I also believe the Lord is illustrating how He sometimes uses
practical remedies in the healing process. Notice that the prophet Isaiah
prescribed a fig poultice for the king, no doubt at God's direction. God
did the healing, but He used a simple treatment to bring about recovery. I
believe that God can anoint an herb, vitamin, or medicine to promote
healing. And He can use doctors to prescribe beneficial remedies, just as
He used Isaiah here.
Second Chronicles 16:12-13 records that King Asa "was afflicted with a
disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he
did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians." The next
verse reveals that Asa died from this affliction. This is a very clear
warning to all of us. If we choose to depend on doctors and remedies apart
from seeking God, we could be risking our health, or even our lives.
Another lesson Scripture teaches us about healing is that it can be a
gradual process. In Mark 8:22-26, Jesus lays hands on a blind man twice
before his sight is completely restored. While I do believe in
instantaneous healings, I believe that most healings take time. And just
like Jesus used various methods to heal, God may use one way to heal you,
and another to heal someone else, even though you both have the same
ailment. The next time you're ill, turn to God first for help. Ask Him for
His wisdom, according to His promise in James 1:5. Search out God's many
promises of healing in the Scriptures--pray and stand on them. My prayer is
that when you do, you'll soon be able to declare, "O Lord my God, I called
to you for help and you healed me"! (Psalm 30:2)
Prayer: Lord, when illness threatens, send Your Word and heal me. (Psalm 107:20)
Show me when I should see a doctor and who it should be, and give them Your
wisdom and skill. Spare me from all unnecessary and unpleasant tests and
treatments. Reveal to me what supplements or medicines would help, and
anoint them for my use. Teach me how to walk in health and wholeness.
Thank You that You have promised to be my Healer! (Exodus 15:26)
- J. M. Farro
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