THE PLACE OF FAITH IN DIVINE HEALING

“And the Lord said to Moses. “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live. So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live”. (Numbers 21: 8 & 9).

As the people of Israel made their journey through the wilderness to the Promised Land, they became impatient at Mount Hor.  This was as a result  of the round-about journey by the Red Sea, then around the land of Edom as the Edomites refused them passage through their territory.  They spoke against God and against Moses. Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit them and many of them died.

Frightened by the death of many of their countrymen, the survivors repented and went to Moses and asked him to plead to God on their behalf so that the devastation would stop. Moses interceded and God commanded him to make a bronze serpent that whoever had the faith to look at the bronze serpent, would live. Many looked and lived. It is also possible that some might have refused to look probably reasoning that it was unreasonable to look unto a symbol of the same serpent that killed them in order to live.

The Bible is replete with accounts of Divine directives for the benefit of man that seemed to make no sense to human reasoning, but when eventually obeyed, yielded good results.

The Syrian army commander, Naaman (2 Kings 5) thought it was foolish obeying Elisha’s directive to wash in the River Jordan for cleansing of his leprosy, a disease that had defiled all treatments for many years. But when he was eventually persuaded to comply with the simple directive, his condition changed for good. Jesus, (Luke 17), ordered ten lepers to go and show themselves to the Priest. To human reasoning, it looked very unlikely that such a move would bring about their healing, but they obeyed without questioning. When one of them came back to give thanks, Jesus remarked “your faith has made you well” (Luke 17; 19b).

Jesus made this statement on several occasions to show the place of faith in Divine healing. To the woman who suffered from hemorrhage for twelve years, after her healing Jesus Said “Take heart, daughter, your faith has made you well.” (Matthew 9: 22). To blind Bartimaeus after restoring his sight “Go, your faith has made you well” (Mark 10: 52).  Mark 2 records that Jesus on seeing the faith of the four friends of the paralyzed man carrying their friend to Him through the roof, instantly He pronounced healing on the man.

These passages are recorded in the Holy Book to strengthen our faith in Jesus and his healing powers.  As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so Jesus was sacrificed on the cross to take away our sins and heal us by His stripes.  “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” (John 3: 14 & 15).

Jesus remains the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrew 12: 2). The scripture advises us to take every situation with perseverance. Let us learn from the mistake of the Israelites, never to murmur against God but to cast our burden upon Him because He cares for us.

It does not matter how dreaded any disease may be, it does not also matter how long one has been tormented by such sickness, Jesus is still in the business of healing.  All one needs do is look unto Him with faith and hope and He will be restored and Jesus will say to him “Go your faith has made you whole”.

Remember, that without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach Him must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11: 6)

Have a healthy New Year as you achor your faith firmly in God’s word.

Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
    Igein Isemede