God has healed in the past by prescription, 2 Ki. 20:7; 1 Tim. 5:23; through physicians, Luke 5:31; Col. 4:14; by direct intervention, Mark 3:1–5; in answer to the faith of friends, Mark 2:5; in response to prayer, Jas. 5:15, 16; and in spite of unbelief, Mark 6:5.
It did not please God to heal Daniel, Dan. 8:27; Elisha, 2 Ki. 13:14; Timothy, 1 Tim. 5:23; Epaphroditus, Phil. 2:26; Trophimus, 2 Tim. 4:20; or Paul, 2 Cor. 12:7–10. God is able to heal anyone at any time, but the Bible reveals that it is not normally His purpose to do so. Evangelicals therefore believe in divine healing, but not in divine healers.
Sickness and infirmity are permitted for a number of revealed reasons: so that God’s works may be made manifest, John 9:3; for His own glory, John 11:4; for our profit, Psa. 119:67; Heb. 12:5–10; so that we may be able to comfort others, 2 Cor. 1:4; to make us more fruitful, John 15:2; Heb. 12:11; to prepare us for future glory, Rom. 8:17; 2 Cor. 4:17.
God always provides a way to escape, 1 Cor. 10:13. It comes through prayer, Matt. 6:13; Heb. 4:16. It may also come through self-judgment, in the light of the Word, 1 Cor. 11:31; 2 Chr. 7:14. If God does not heal, His grace is sufficient, 2 Cor. 12:9.
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED AND RECEIVED FROM THIS QUICK REFRESHER.
PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM