Dr Binny Mathew 15th February2017

Asst Professor English Dept

St Berchman’s College, Kerala, India
binnykm@rediffmail.com

DIVINE HEALING AND MEDICINE

Abstract: Divine healing and emergency medicine look like strange partners. Divine
healing is a matter of faith and excellent compliment to the practice of medicine. The
power of divine healing has virtually no limitations and no potentially dangerous side
effects.
Medicine is a matter of Science. There are many conditions for which medicine has little
to offer. Divine Healing and Medicine sometimes Conflict with one another.
The power of divine healing has virtually no limitations.

Introduction: Some patients find no conflict between healing prayer and medicine.
Whenever God was permitting a curse, because people were permitting it through
disobedience, the Hebrew record implied that God was causing it when He was
not. Whenever a causative verb is used as a substitute for a permissive verb, it can make
God appear to be a God of wrath when we know He is God of Love as well. (1 John 4:8)
God does not cause sickness or disease to come upon anyone. Sickness and disease
comes to steal one's health, to kill and to destroy. Jesus said that is the job of Satan, the
thief, not God.

Here we examine few more verses "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and
to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more
abundantly." (John 10:10)

"Touching the Almighty; we cannot find Him out: He is excellent in power, and in
judgment, and in plenty of justice: He will not afflict." (Job 37:23)

God does not steal, kill or destroy human health. God does not afflict with sickness and
disease. However, God does permit disease when people permit disease through lack of
knowledge of His Word, lack of knowledge of His will for them to be well or through sin
and disobedience on their part.

Sickness can occur when people neglect to take proper care of themselves. Sickness can
also occur as an outright Satanic attack against God's obedient children.
The Bible reveals that sickness is not caused by God. He simply permits it when man
permits it in one way or another.
Exodus 15:26 above also says, "...for I am the Lord that healeth thee."
The word "healeth" is actually "rapha." Rapha means "medicine, stitch up, cure, healer
and physician." This is a reference to a medical doctor and it is how God refers to
Himself.

Fr.Dr.Binny Mathew
It is important to keep in mind as you continue to read that God not only refers to Himself
as a medical doctor, but He also refers to Himself alone as the Great Physician or
Healer. He alone has the power to heal.

Doctors and nurses do not possess the ability to heal, they can simply assist God and
assist nature. The humble ones will admit this fact. Doctors, nurses and nurse
practitioners can promote health and disease prevention. Together they can diagnose
diseases and their symptoms, treat everything from mild ailments to serious conditions,
analyze laboratory reports and x-rays, prescribe medications, perform surgeries, suturing,
set broken bones and perform many other highly skilled duties - but only Almighty God,
the Great Physician, possesses the power to heal.

All healing comes from God alone. Therefore, all healing is Divine healing.
Neither can drugs, medicine, or homeopathic remedies heal, but they can assist nature,
and we will see from the Bible that all of these forms of medicine are good, not bad,
when used wisely.

Again, if you find yourself in need of a doctor, you should do your best to find one that
believes in Jesus Christ and the Word of God. If such a doctor is not available, simply
ask the Holy Spirit to lead you by the "red-light" or "green-light" within as to which
doctor you should choose. He will show you which is the best for you at the present
time.

If you have unrest about going to a certain doctor, do not go to that doctor. Go to the one
you have peace about. This is the primary way God guides when there is no Scripture to
tell the Believer what to do. Doctors, nurses, medicine and medical technology are
good. The wisdom for the help they offer comes from God. The natural help they offer,
combined with the supernatural help that comes from knowledge of God's Word, trusting
the Holy Spirit and faith-filled prayer, creates an explosive force through which God can
heal.

"And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his
disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the
physicians. And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his
reign. And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the
city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers
kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for
him." (2 Chronicles 16:12-14)

Here we have a King of Israel who became ill, did not bother to first seek Jehovah-Rapha
as his Healer and went directly to the physicians. That is as dangerous as seeking God
alone and not going to the doctor when one has no faith for healing.
Seeking the physician's care only and not even bothering to consult with Jehovah-Rapha
actually cost King Asa his very life.

Fr.Dr.Binny Mathew
Some Christians often make this mistake. They do not bother to take even a minute to
pray when sickness symptoms appear. They run immediately to the medicine cabinet or
to the doctor, not even bothering to consult Jehovah-Rapha (The Lord That Heals), King
Asa found out quickly this is the wrong way to go. Now, it is perfectly fine to go to the
doctor if one does not have faith for healing. But one should never put the doctor first
and Jehovah-Rapha second. Always seek the Lord's wisdom first.

Even while under a Doctor's care, the wise Christian will continue to consult with
Jehovah-Rapha and to meditate on healing Scriptures, developing faith for and
cooperating with their healing.

King Asa was trusting only in the arm of the flesh when he went running lickety-split to
the doctor and right past Holy God.

This cost King Asa his life and it could cost you yours. Slow down. Take the time to ask
God for wisdom before you do anything else.

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get
understanding." (Proverbs 4:7)

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and
upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering ..."
(James 1:5-6)

To trust in the flesh is death. To trust in the Lord is life. (Jeremiah 17:5-8)

Major reasons given in the Scripture why God allow sickness:

1. Sickness and death naturally come to all because we are fallen people living in a fallen
world. We get sick and die because we are imperfect human beings living in a world
filled with bacteria and viruses that attack our bodies. Paul declared that the wages of sin
is death (Rom. 6:23). This death refers to spiritual death but also to the eventual physical
death that comes to all mankind. To stop all sickness and death would require God to stop
the world as we know it today. One day Jesus said that He would come again and set up
His kingdom here upon the earth and remove all things that offend out of this world
(Matt. 13:41).

2. God sometimes allows sickness so that His purposes might be fulfilled. Jesus said that
one man was born blind so that, “the works of God should be revealed in him” (John
9:3). Other times Jesus said that it was to bring glory to God when He healed the person
(John 11:4). Therefore, you can be assured of one thing, that God is working out His
purpose in your life through this sickness.

3. God has also used sickness as a judgment against people who were in rebellion against
Him. King Jehoram was an example of this cause of sickness (2 Chron. 21:1-19). His
illness was allowed so that he would hopefully humble himself and turn to God for help.

Fr.Dr.Binny Mathew
Scripture teaches that God never afflicts someone willingly, but allows it, hoping that
they will turn from their sin. Jeremiah declared concerning God: “The Lord will not cast
off forever. Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the
multitude of His mercies. For He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of
men” (Lam. 3:31-33). King Hezekiah is an excellent example of a man who turned to
God, was healed, and recovered from his illness (2 Kings 20:1-5). If you are a Christian
in right standing with God this potential cause of your sickness is not one that God would
use, simply because you already have a right relationship with the Father. Many
sicknesses have nothing to do with a person’s sin or turning them from rebellion. Jesus
made this clear when the disciples questioned Him concerning a man who had been born
blind. The disciples asked Him, “‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was
born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works
of God should be revealed in him’” (John 9:2-3). Notice that Jesus was emphatic that
neither this man nor his parents had anything to do with this birth defect. God had a
single purpose of revealing His own glory in the man’s healing.
However, if you don’t have a personal relationship with Christ, God may have allowed
this sickness to get your attention. To resolve this potential cause of your sickness you
should consider surrendering your life to God. Invite Jesus into your heart and ask Him to
forgive you of your sin. God’s Word promises, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). God
has great delight in showing mercy (Micah 7:18-19). Once you have surrendered your life
to Christ you can take this issue off the table as a potential cause of your sickness.

4. Sometimes God doesn’t provide a clear reason for illness. God has allowed some
individuals who have had great faith and whom He has used greatly to get sick. In some
cases, they didn’t recover and God gave no explanation for His reasons. Elisha the
prophet is a good example. He got sick and died after he had healed many others in his
own ministry (2 Kings 13:14). God didn’t explain why He allowed this man to be taken
from his service in this manner. Whenever God does anything without explaining it you
must trust in His sovereign wisdom and love. There are purposes beyond your
understanding that He is working out for all concerned. Unless God specifically reveals
His plan Paul said, “His ways are past finding out” (Rom. 11:33). God didn’t tell Paul
the apostle why he received his “thorn in the flesh” but only encouraged him to trust His
sovereign and sufficient grace. Paul said concerning this thorn, “I pleaded with the Lord
three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for
you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather
boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take
pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's
sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:8-10). Therefore, ask God to
reveal His grace and strength to you in this time of weakness.

5. Sometimes God allows sickness for a testimony of His power and glory. One of the
best examples of this truth is when a deadly snake bit Paul after He had been shipwrecked
on an island. While Paul was gathering wood for the fire a viper fastened itself on his
hand. He shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. The natives of the
island saw this and thought that He must have been a murderer because he escaped death

Fr.Dr.Binny Mathew
in the sea and now justice has not allowed him to live. But, when Paul did not die the
people changed their minds thinking him to be a god. Therefore, God used this situation
to have the people ask Paul to pray for a magistrate of the island who was sick. God
healed this man and then many who were sick on the island came and were also healed.
What a testimony this was all because Paul was bitten by a viper (Acts 28:1-10).

6. One of the most comforting principles that God declares is that when a person gets sick
He promises to sustain this person on their sickbed. David taught, “The LORD will
strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed” (Ps. 41:3).
Therefore, allow the Lord to strengthen you spiritually by drawing close to Him during
this time of sickness. If you seek Him you will find Him and His grace for whatever is
ahead (Matt. 7:7-8). Strengthening yourself spiritually is essential because Solomon also
said, “The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit”
(Prov. 18:14)? Therefore, whether you are healed or end up receiving the ultimate healing
(death and your new body), the Lord will be with you and sustain you by His grace.
David declared concerning the Lord that: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present
help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). The Lord also promises: “He shall call upon Me, and I will
answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him” (Ps. 91:15). I
encourage you at this time of sickness in your life that you seek the Lord to be your
strength and refuge. He wants to be with you and help you if you will only call upon
Him.
It is clear from Scripture that God wants to reveal His power and heal people. Jesus
commanded that the disciples should pray and heal the sick (Matt. 10:8). God has
bestowed the gifts of healing upon the church so that we might pray for the sick (1 Cor.
12:9). The apostle James taught, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders
of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has
committed sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5:14-15). Therefore, you should pray and
believe God for His divine intervention and healing. Asking for God’s healing should
always be your first resort. There will always be those who have the gift of healing and
will want to pray for you. Allow them to pray the prayer of faith for you. But, you also
must come in faith. God wants you to trust and believe Him to fulfill His plan in this
most difficult time in your life. This won’t be easy because your mind fights against your
belief in divine healing. Therefore, you must fight in faith to stand on God’s Word that
healing is truly possible. Paul said that we must, “Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim.
6:12). To trust God when you don’t understand exactly why all these things are
happening to you; to trust Him when you feel so terrible; to trust Him when it seems so
hopeless will require you to fight the good fight of faith.

But, remember God has promised to “Never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). God
has also promised to give you wisdom if you will ask for it (James 1:5). As you receive
God’s wisdom in the midst of this trial the Lord will sustain you with His peace. As the
disciples were about to go through one of the most difficult nights of their lives and see
their Lord crucified the next day, Jesus said to them, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I
give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). God will give you His peace in the midst of this

Fr.Dr.Binny Mathew
difficult time in your life as you trust in Him. He is with you! He will not leave you or
forsake you to handle this illness on your own. The last thing that Jesus promised to His
disciples was, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). This is a
promise the Father will keep. Therefore, call out to Him for His peace and presence to
come fill you right now and let your heart be strengthened!

Conclusion: If you have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, I would humbly offer
this advice. Make sure that you are a true child of God, having trusted Jesus as your
Savior, Confess your sins. Then, as Hezekiah was told, “put your house in order” (Isaiah
38:1).
Grow spiritually in the wisdom of God and minister to others. Continue to rely on the
power of God for your daily strength. Thank God for your thorn in the flesh (2
Corinthians 12:7-10).Its always better to take comfort in Jesus Christ our Great physician
and Healer as we know He gives eternal life and peace which a world cant not give. He
also promises in the scripture that our hearts not to be troubled.

The New Testament reveals Satan and demons are the agents of sickness. Sin has
effectively removed the protective covering of God and given Satan the opportunity to
infest humanity with sickness and disease. This is a result of mankind’s fall but it is not to
be regarded as God’s perfect will. Job reminds us that we must keep eternity in mind
when we walk through trials. Job had to learn to see life and death from God’s wide
perspective instead of his human viewpoint. Job’s faith was tested like gold. After he
experienced incredible loss, he was able to say: “As for me, I know that my Redeemer
lives, and at the last He will take his stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed,
yet from my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:25-26). The words of Jesus in John 11:26:
“And whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.
Of course, we want our loved ones to be healed. Of course, we should pray for miracles.
But if God does not answer us the way we insist He should, we must rest in His all-
knowing sovereignty and rejoice in the fact that Jesus has conquered death. Please don’t
minimize the wonder of Christ’s resurrection power. God can heal any sickness and No
sickness and disease is big for him. Jesus is above all names and all names of sickness
and disease. Through constant prayer, encouraging them to read scriptures, meditating on
the scriptures over their sickness, anointing by the elders or Priests, taking holy
Communion for healing and anointing the sickness and interceding and praying for them
we can support them.

References/Citations:

1.Hardesty, N. (2003). Faith cure: Divine healing in the Holiness and Pentecostal movements.
Hendrickson Pub.
2.Murray, A., 2016. Divine healing (Vol. 3). Aneko Press.
3.Moo, D. (1988). Divine Healing in the Health and Wealth Gospel in The Health and Wealth
Gospel. Trinity journal, 9(2), 191-209.
4.Lindsay, D. E. (2016). The Truth, the Way and the Life: The Truth About Why You Are a Slave
to Sickness, the Way to Transform Your Health, and How to Live an Abundant Life. WestBow
Press.

Fr.Dr.Binny Mathew
5.Rangel, K. (2018). MAKING SENSE OF SICKNESS AND TERMINAL ILLNESS. [online]
Calvaryag.org. Available at: https://calvaryag.org/ministries/bible-studies/15-bible-studies/topical-
studies/174-making-sense-of-sickness [Accessed 20April. 2016].

Fr.Dr.Binny Mathew