2026-05-15
Good morning, Dear Ones,
Jeremiah has one of the toughest tasks of any prophet. He had to relay God’s will to a mostly unresponsive people, steeped in rebellion and idolatry. And yet, God told them, in JER 33: 6, “Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it (the land); I will heal My people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” This was said before the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles while Isreal was divided into two kingdoms against God’s will. In JER 17: 13-14, 17, we can see the frustration and unyielding faith of Jeremiah. “Lord, You are the hope of Israel; all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from You will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the Lord, the Spring of Living Water. Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are the One I praise…Do not be a terror to me; You are my Refuge in the day of disaster; destroy them with double destruction.”
In all honesty we need to acknowledge what God does for us. David writes as God sees our affliction, as seen in PS 31: 6-7, “I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord. I will be glad and rejoice in Your love, for You saw my affliction.” Nahum also acknowledges God’s loving healing, in NH 1: 7, “The Lord is good, a Refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” When we break bones or are wounded, we can turn to the Lord with HB 3: 19, “The Sovereign Lord is my Strength; He makes my feet like the feet of deer, He enables me to tread the heights.” JER 30: 17, “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord.”
I have always found the story of the man (blind from birth) whom Jesus healed by the pool of Siloam compelling. This was a time of training for His disciples, and they asked what sin he or his parents committed to cause this malady. JN 9: 3-4 is where Christ answered, it was to show God’s works and to give Jesus a chance to point out, “While I’m in the world, I am the Light of the world.” Of course, that is not the only reason why God allows handicaps and illnesses. He has many reasons, and all of them are righteous. Sometimes it’s to shock a believer wavering in his faith into awareness of His presence. Hezekiah was ill to the point of tears in his prayer for healing. The Assyrians were threatening to take over Judea. The prophet, Isaiah, who was leaving the palace at the time, initially hadn’t known how to give this Judean king encouragement but was made to turn back to the palace. Hezekiah says, in IS 38: 15-17, “But what can I say? He has spoken to me, and He himself has done this. I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul. Lord, by such things people live; and my spirit finds life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live. Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In Your love You kept me from the pit of destruction; You have put all my sins behind Your back.” God had caused the Assyrians to turn back north and had granted Hezekiah another 15 years to live.
PRAYER: O Lord, when we face our own physical challenges and need healing, as I am doing now, we must remember, IS 40: 29-31. “He gives strength to the wary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and you men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” You are here with us and listen to our prayers. Even if a believer succumbs physically to an illness, he need not worry. That is because You have righteously decided that his time of earthly testing is over and he is ready to receive the crown of eternal life. It is only those who serially reject You and Your teaching that will suffer the destruction that the lake of fire brings. We can only acknowledge Your attributes and deeds, offer You our loyalty, love, thanksgiving, and praise, as You so richly deserve. We utter this prayer in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: The Holy Spirit wants me to write about restoration of joy next week. We can and should offer prayer for those who are ill and suffering, particularly for believers close to us. 3 JN 1: 2, “Dear Friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” In the meanwhile, we are offered precious encouragement with these words, in PS 46: 1, 7, “God is our Refuge and Strength, an ever-present help in trouble…The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our Fortress.” So, Dear Ones, there is never a reason to feel alone and abandoned when our faith is strong. God leave us with IS 41: 10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Praise and thanksgiving be to God!
Grace be with You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2026. All Rights Reserved.
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