If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.  Exodus 15:26

As the Egyptian army bore down on the people of Israel, they fled all the way to the Red Sea.  Cornered at the water’s edge, it sure looked like they would be slaughtered but God parted the waters, and His people walked across safely.  As the Egyptian army pursued them, their army, including horses and chariots, weren’t so blessed.  The walls of water, held up by the mighty hand of God, were collapsed and they all drowned. Israel rejoiced, built an altar, and sang a song of victory to their God.  

What a difference three days would make though.  They traveled on into the Desert of Shur (on the heels of the greatest miracle they had ever experienced) and faced the first of many tests.  This one also involved water.  The people were extremely thirsty, and desperate.  Relieved to finally find water, their hopes were dashed when they discovered it was undrinkable.  They named the water Marah, which means bitter.  Moses turned to the Lord and God showed him a piece of wood.  He was instructed to throw the wood into the water, and it would sweeten it, changing the mineral properties to make it drinkable.  It was at this moment that God identified Himself as Jehovah-Rapha ~ the God who heals. 

God spoke and promised to spare His people from any of the diseases He had brought on the Egyptians in the form of the ten plagues.  But like many of the Old Testament promises to come, it was conditional.  They were to ‘diligently listen to the voice of God and do what was right in His eyes, to give ear to His commandments and keep His statutes.’   

Throughout scripture, God has made many promises regarding healing but, honestly, isn’t this a tricky subject?  Sometimes Jehovah Rapha heals when we stand in faith but sometimes, after vigorous seasons of prayer and fasting, He does not.  This tests our faith and often sets up private disappointments.  In the dark, where unspoken doubts fester, Satan loves to work and malign God’s character.  We might even feel we have to make excuses for God when we’ve announced to others that God has promised healing.  Our arguments sound rather hollow coming from a heart that suffers from unanswered questions.

This is the week to explore some of these topics. What can we believe God for?  How do we live find peace in the mystery of waiting?  How do we interpret scriptures about God healing our diseases?  And where does deferred hope intersect this topic? 

We belong to a powerful God who will make all things perfect.  It’s a promise.  Eden will be restored.  For now, we wrestle and trust.  We ask questions but not with a fist.  I’m glad you’re with me for such an important week.  

Jehovah Rapha, we stand together in faith and proclaim that You do all things well.  And on time.  Give us spiritual understanding beyond what we have at this moment.  We believe but help our unbelief.  Amen