| LIVING IN DIVINE HEALTH
Capt Ben Marler
captben61@hotmail.com
We Christians, especially those of us who live in America, have reached
the place where we do not normally call on God when we are ill. The
quality of medicine here is unequaled anywhere in the world and we
generally have the money or insurance to pay for it so off we go.
This is not God’s plan for His children. He allowed Jesus to suffer
horribly from a horrible beating by a Roman soldier using the cruel
scourge. This whip was made of heavy leather and was imbedded with sharp
pieces of metal and glass. When it landed upon the victim it was snatched
back violently. Each time bits of flesh were removed increasing the
incredible pain.
Why did God allow this beating? There are only two reasons. One, in the
Book of Isaiah we see in chapter 53 the prophecy of the crucifixion. It
includes these words, "By His stripes we are healed." It is speaking of
the lash marks upon the body of Jesus. Later we see in 1 Peter 2 the words
"By His stripes were we healed." Just as God allowed Jesus to die upon the
cross spilling His Blood to save us we see the horrible wounds of the
scourge being inflicted to bring us healing. Why is this so?
Jesus Christ is God, Emmanuel. The only way to satisfy the Father’s wrath
for sin was for Jesus to bear it for us. We have all sinned and therefore
were unworthy to be the "unblemished lamb" for the sacrificial offering.
Since we are the prodigy of Adam and Eve who sinned in the very beginning
we carry the curse of it in our flesh too. Understanding these points will
allow any redeemed [born-again] child of God to live in Divine Health.
It must be pointed out here that God is Sovereign and can heal anyone He
wants but the benefits mentioned in Psalm 103 1-4 are for His adopted
children. Many who live in the world have become part of the world. They
would love to have God heal them with a word but for the most part don’t
want to die to their own will which is required of us to be saved. Did you
know this is what the statement made by Jesus really means? He said His
disciples must pick up their cross daily and follow after Him to be His
disciples. The word must leaves little room for argument or discussion.
We pick up our cross daily when we get up early in the morning and worship
God for sending Jesus to save us. Then out of appreciation we commit to do
the "works" that He has prepared for us to do. This is very clear in
Ephesians 2:10, my favorite verse. These "works" are the ones that have a
testimony attached. When we share God’s goodness and mercy with the lost
it can not but further His Kingdom. Isn’t this so?
I believe Divine Healing will come automatically to those who abide or
live in Jesus. It is the times when we slip away from Him that a dart from
the evil one finds us. God permits many things to come to His children who
stray. Thank God we have been spared an invasion by a foreign army where
we are killed and many are led away captive. If you read the Old Testament
you will find that many times God allowed this to happen to his
disobedient chosen people.
Do you need His healing right now? If you do, it is imperative that you
tell Him exactly and precisely what is troubling you. Of course He knows
but your confession is not for Him but for you. Just as the Sword of the
Spirit revealed in Ephesians 6 isn’t for killing the devil but for
severing or cutting away the leaches and parasites lusts of the world from
our flesh. We need to recognize that God is requiring us to live for Him
and in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. If you will, Jesus is our ark.
Outside of Him is death and separation that can be permanent.
A dear Baptist Pastor told me one time that he didn’t buy the "Once saved,
always saved!" attitude of some of his fellow pastors. He said, "I chose
Jesus and I am free to deny Him too." Then he added, "But I never will."
The danger of this concept is that some who are still not born again of
the Holy Spirit of God believe it and may remain lost. Please read Matt:
25.
To find out where we are with the Lord we need to check our oil regularly.
How much of God’s Holy Spirit is actually within us. Have you ever felt
that you are not walking with Jesus? If you have, then you better check
the dipstick into your heart and see how much you are PRAISING the Lord. A
motor that is running well will sound smooth and strong!
Prayer is so important but without praise it can get mighty dry for us and
the Lord. Many years ago I memorized Psalm 100. It has been a constant
reminder of how the Lord prefers I come before Him.
"O be joyful in the Lord all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness and
come before His Presence with a song. Be ye sure it is the Lord Who has
made us and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His
pasture. Go ye therefore into His gates with thanksgiving and into His
courts with praise. Be thankful unto Him and speak good unto His Name. For
the Lord is gracious and His mercy endureth from generation to
generation."
As you can see it isn’t long and would be a wonderful psalm for you to
teach to your children or grandchildren. They need to walk in God’s divine
health too, Amen?
Please do not misunderstand this message. There are times when very Godly
people will suffer some form of illness that only God Himself can explain
to us. I suspect He may be allowing them to suffer so the ones who love
them can have their hearts softened for the implantation of the Gospel. I
also don’t know why children get sick but do know that Jesus is more than
willing to heal them too. We must supply the faith for them as they are so
little and tender in His sight.
The more of His diving healing you experience the more faith you will have
so lets start walking with Jesus and allow His Holy Spirit to get God’s
work done through us today. It is hard to work when you are sick. Amen?
Maranatha! [Come quickly Lord Jesus.]
In His Service,
Capt Ben Marler
Note: For further reading see:
Does God Heal?
and God Heals! |
