Why Does Jesus Heal? Part 2

Many years ago, I attended the funeral of a work associate who had died suddenly of a rare disease. The Minister preceding over the service was a former Pastor turned business executive. As he spoke, he made a startling statement that has stuck with me all these years. He said, ‘The death of this special man, a devoted husband and loving father, was not the will of God. God did want this to happen.’ 

This statement was so shocking to me that I don’t remember much else of what he said, but I clearly remember that statement. I believe he went on to ascribe his death to Satan or evil in the world or something like that. Quite frankly, it doesn’t matter what he said. As one who believes the authenticity of the entire 66 books of the Bible and as one who believes in the Sovereignty of the God of the Bible, the theological ramifications of such a belief and statement are horrifying to me. 

 

… according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will. Ephesians 1:11b 

 

The context of this verse is our salvation calling which God works all things after the counsel of His will. This teaches us about the reality of God’s will: 

• It applies to all things. Just like our salvation calling (the context of this verse) is according to His purpose, He works all things according to His will. (See also Romans 8:28). 

• He determines it himself. His will is not influenced by anyone or subject to anything other than His own counsel. His will is His own. He counsels Himself. 

 

If things happen that are not in God’s complete control, then what security do we have in Christ? Why should we pray to God to lead us not into temptation or to protect us? Why should we ask Him to deliver us from evil if He is not in control of all things? If He is not in complete control, then how can He be My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust? (Psalm 91:2).  

R.C. Sproul has said that not one molecule in the world can move without the absolute control of God. 

 

Back to Healing: To heal or not to heal? 

With an understanding that God works all things (Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:11) after the counsel of His own will, why does He heal some and not all? Let’s consider two biblical stories when God healed and God didn’t heal. 

 

TO HEAL: Hezekiah, 2 Kings 20 

In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet…came to him and said to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, set your house in order, for you shall die and not live. 

Then he (Hezekiah) turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord … and Hezekiah wept bitterly. 

Hezekiah acknowledged that God is always good and always right. He surrendered to His will. But he asked earnestly and wept for God to heal him.  

 

Learning Alert: This is the way to respond to every sickness, pain or tragedy. Acknowledge God’s will to do whatever He wants for His purposes which are far above our understanding…but nevertheless, pray your heart out for healing. Pray earnestly for healing; physical healing, emotional healing and spiritual healing. 

 

Pray! Pray! Pray! Why? Consider what happened to Hezekiah. 

Thus, says the Lord … I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you, (verse 5). 

 

TO NOT HEAL: David, 2 Samuel 12 

Then the Lord struck the child (God did this?) that Uriah’s widow bore to David, that he was very sick. David therefore inquired of God for the child; and David fasted and went and lay all night on the ground.  

Then it happened on the seventh day that the child died. So, David said to his servants, ‘Is the child dead?’ and they said, ‘he is dead.’ 

So, David arose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, changed his clothes; and he came into the house of the Lord and worshiped … they set food before him and he ate. 

Then his servants said to him … while the child was alive, you fasted and wept; but when the child died, you arose and ate food. He said, ‘while the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, who knows, the Lord may be gracious to me, that the child may live. But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? 

 

Learning Alert: Pray earnestly for healing. Pray! Pray! Pray! But if God doesn’t do what you prayed for, accept His will as perfect and good and worship Him. But always pray. Do not say, ‘Why pray? God will do what He wants to do anyway.’ I don’t totally understand the depth and breadth of God’s work or why He does what He does; but I do know for sure that He calls us to PRAY. Hezekiah prayed earnestly and God changed His plan in order to answer Hezekiah’s prayer. Pray! Pray! Pray! Always and often. 

 

I like the story of Hezekiah much better than the story of David’s baby. But both happened and either scenario could happen to us. But in any case, pray for healing, pray for justice, pray for protection, pray for your loved ones, pray for yourself; pray with great earnestness, always and often. God will respond for your good according to the counsel of His own will. Amen!