“He sent forth his word and healed them…”

 

After all the dust had settled and the South African celebrations at winning the rugby world cup had died down, the England rugby player Jason Robinson was interviewed about his personal reflections on the tournament. “Obviously it was a big disappointment to have to come off injured in the world cup final, but I tore my hamstring in the second game of the World Cup and really I should have been out for six weeks, but by the grace of God I got back in three weeks and that was a miracle in itself.” Jason had experienced the highs and lows of God healing and God allowing him to get injured.

 

Of course in comparison to many physical afflictions that people have – a hamstring tear, or even a broken leg on the field of play is relatively minor. Even when the injury threatens a player’s career, it is not as serious as the life threatening illnesses that many Christians have to deal with. What anyone longs for when ill or injured, sick or dying, is healing – but should Christians expect it?

 

To answer this question we need to step-back and consider the game plan from God’s perspective and ask what God wants for us in life. Romans 8:28 tells us that ‘God works all things together for the good…’, which surely sounds like he intends Christians to have health, wealth and happiness. But we need to be careful that we understand what God thinks is ‘good’ and not just assume that our desires are in line with his; remember God’s warning to his people through Isaiah ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways declares the Lord’ (Is 55:8). Romans 8:28 continues ‘… for those who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son’.

 

The ‘good’ in God’s eyes is ultimately for someone to become like Jesus – having his character formed in them. Physical health is important, which is why heaven is a place absent of death or disease. However, spiritual health is even more important and to be spiritually sick is to be fallen in character – unlike Jesus. So the great healing work that God primarily does by his Spirit through his word is to change our characters.

 

This doesn’t mean that we can’t or shouldn’t pray for physical healing. Nor does it mean that God doesn’t often miraculously answer those prayers. But it does give us an insight into why he answers sometimes and at other times doesn’t. ‘God works all things (sickness or health, life or even death) together for the good’ of making us like Christ.

 

So of course pray for healing, God is a loving Father who loves to give good gifts to His children. But do also see His loving hand behind all things, and rely on him knowing that through it all he is bringing about an awesome weight of glory in moulding you into Jesus’ image.

 

Pete