The Lord has strongly impressed upon my heart recently, the need for believers to spend time daily in two areas that are frequent issues with most people, the area of finances, and the area of healing. God’s Word has much to say on these two issues. This is the first of a series of lessons for daily study and meditation on the subject of healing. Please take some time to not only read these lessons, but to meditate on what God has to say on this important subject.
In Isaiah 1:18 God says, "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” I want to challenge you to take a “REASONABLE” approach to this. If we will look honestly at some of the things we have heard on this subject we will have to admit that much of it doesn’t make since. I have found however that God’s Word always makes sense, but religion doesn’t.
Psalm 107:17-20 says, “Fools, because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, were afflicted. 18 Their soul abhorred all manner of food, And they drew near to the gates of death. 19 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. 20 He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.”
Notice here that transgressions and iniquities brought affliction. The word “transgression” is the Hebrew word “pesha”, meaning rebellion. The word “iniquities” in the Hebrew word, “avon”, meaning perversity or depravity, and is from the root word “avah” which means to twist, bend or distort.
The word “afflicted” is the Hebrew word “anah”, meaning to be busied with, to oppress, humble, be bowed down, to be put down, become low, to be depressed, be downcast, to stoop. It is the result of a rebellious, life that has twisted and perverted the truth of God.
Notice now that the sending of the Word, which also implies the Word being received by the one it is sent to, produced healing and deliverance from destruction. Rebellion against the Word brought affliction and destruction, but the sending and receiving of the Word brought healing and deliverance.
Let’s now look at the word “healed” from verse 20. It is the Hebrew word “rapha’” which means, to heal, make healthful. It refers to the work of a healer or physician.
In no way am I saying that every person who is sick is in rebellion against God. What I am saying is that if healing is available for the repentant rebel, should it not also be available to the child of God who for whatever reason has come under attack by the enemy of mankind with sickness and disease.