Jehovah-rapha

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Psalm 34:19 esv

Since the events in the garden, where Adam and Eve disobeyed God, our world has been broken. Each of us wrestles with all kinds of sin that comes from our hearts as we try to live life on our terms. Without an intervention, we will continue to look to ourselves as the one who can make things better and bring healing if we just do the next thing. However, the only path to true healing is through Jesus Christ. And healing is his specialty.

Throughout the Bible are references to the physical healings of God. For example:

• In Matthew 8, Jesus heals a man with leprosy.
• In Mark 1, Jesus cures Peter’s mother-in-law.
• In John 9, Jesus heals a man who was born blind.

Everyone walks around with wounds that cannot be seen—spiritual or emotional scars that can run deeper than any physical wound. But the God who has the power to heal physical wounds also heals the hidden wounds. Here are some biblical examples:

• In Psalm 23, David acknowledges that God heals and restores his soul.
• In Matthew 8, Jesus heals two demoniacs.
• In John 14, Jesus senses and calms the disciples’ worrisome thoughts.

God is aware of, and can heal, the wounds deep within us. To him, our emotional pain is just as valid as any physical pain. Remembering that our God is the Great Physician can fill us with hope as we wait on his timing. Our outlook becomes expectant, looking to Jehovah-Rapha (“The Lord Who Heals”)—the one who holds our lives in his hands.

Healing rain is a real touch from God. It could be physical healing or emotional or whatever.

Michael W. Smith

Time doesn’t heal all wounds; God heals wounds.

Pete Wilson

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear.

John Newton

For Further Reflection

Jeremiah 30:17; Isaiah 30:26; Psalm 103:3

Today’s Prayer

Lord, help me to lean on you for the ultimate comfort. Whether I am healed in this life or the next, help me to put full trust in you. Please give me full confidence in your grace. Amen.