Christian Writers Circle

Jehovah Rapha-God Heals
by Judy Hitson

Exodus 15:26 NLT He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you.”

Is anyone among you sick? This phrase comes to mind from James 5:14. As we consider God’s name as Healer, it is important to note different reasons we find in Scripture as the cause of sickness. In our key verse, Exodus 15:26 we read the need to listen carefully to the LORD’s voice and obey Him that we not suffer diseases. We read in James 5:15NLT ..a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

In my own personal life my first experience with God’s healing as a born again Christian was in relationships. Since I came to a saving knowledge of Christ late, I had a lot of baggage. Lazarus comes to mind when Jesus raised him from the dead. In John 11:43-44, we read that he came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes…Jesus said, “Loose him, and let him go.”

When I received the Holy Spirit, experiencing new life in Christ was a process of surrendering each facet of my life to Him. Learning to walk and live in the Spirit took time to shed the grave clothes. An insatiable appetite for the word of God healed my soul to put off the old man and put on the new man, Col.3:9-10.

An example of this is when I was tormented in my mind. I wanted to speak truth in love with my husband and children but with a short fuse, I would speak truth in anger. Trusting God to change me, I learned of a class on spiritual warfare at a friend’s church and attended. When the teacher said, God helps us when we are desperate; I knew I was desperate for God’s help in my life. She prayed with authority for me to be freed from religious spirits and be filled with the Holy Spirit. She instructed me to rest like I would after major surgery. She advised  me to spend time in prayer and reading the Bible listening to what the Lord was saying, as well as staying in fellowship with believers. I will be eternally grateful for her and how God used her to bless me with inner healing.

Another example of healing in my life occurred when suddenly I could not articulate my speech. My first thought was, “Oh no I’m having a stroke!” The Lord spoke to my heart, “Tell Jack to take you to St. Thomas Hospital Emergency Room.” It was quite a scene in our kitchen with several people around me. In short, I made cutting remarks to my husband right before this incident. The Lord was dealing with me to speak truth in love with my husband and children as I previously mentioned. This was now a serious matter! The story of Zacharias came to mind when he lost his speech which was restored, Luke 1:19-22, 63-64.  This gave me hope that my speech would be restored. I was admitted to the hospital for a TIA, Transient ischemic Attack, like a mini stroke. I spent an overnight in the hospital for treatment and observation. My speech was restored by the next morning and I was grateful for the Lord’s healing.

Prayer: Thank You Lord as Jehovah Rapha for healing me in spiritual, physical and emotional ways. Help me hear Your voice and follow You in obedience. Amen.