Will God Heal?
A couple of weeks ago, Sara was reading Psalm 103, and asked for my opinion on a verse:
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits–
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases
“Can I take this as a promise that God will heal me?” Sara asked. Good question. In our doubt and fear and anxiety, scripture has been a great encouragement. God’s promises mean a lot when everything else is shaking loose. But what to make of Sara’s question?
Particularly challenging for us was the memory of a dear friend, father of two young children, full-time in ministry to college students, cherished by his wife…well, he died of cancer about 3 years ago. If the Lord could take him, why not Sara? And if this young man died, what do we make of “heals all your diseases“? That didn’t seem to hold true in our friend’s case. What do these words mean in Sara’s case?
I’ve come to a few conclusions. First, this psalm was written by David. He had experienced God’s healing when he was very sick. (Psalm 30.) He knew that God was capable of healing. That’s conclusion #1 — with David we follow a God who can heal.
But he doesn’t always heal. David’s first-born died. (2 Samuel 12:13-25) Our friend died. So, why, we ask, does it say God “heals all your diseases“? Here’s an interesting thing I learned: when you find sweeping, grandiose promises like this in the Old Testament, promises that go far beyond human experience or capability, then you are being pointed to Christ. David spoke about God from first-hand knowledge, but he also spoke of things he didn’t fully understand. David wrote of his descendant Jesus who would come to forgive all our sins, and heal all our diseases. Christ’s suffering and victory mean that we will one day live in perfect bodies that will never be sick, will never perish. That’s conclusion #2. Although our friend did not receive physical healing in this life, he now dwells in perfect painless peace forever.
Does Psalm 103 tell us anything about Sara, her cancer and her prognosis? No. It wasn’t written about her. It was written about the God who can, does and will heal. As we face the uncertainty of battling cancer, and are threatened by doubt and fear, God’s Word is providing us with solid rocks of Truth to depend upon.
-Christopher
Sicks Pax 
on February 24, 2008 on 5:02 pm
I think you are correct in your view of this verse. God does not put a time limit in this verse. He does not say, “…and heals all your diseases within two weeks”. He doesn’t even say, “…and heals all your diseases this side of eternity.” Your friend who had cancer is now “healed”. He is without the cancer, living perfectly at the feet of his savior. What better healing can there be?
on February 24, 2008 on 7:20 pm
I agree w/ Greg. it is a tough row to hoe when it comes to applying promise scriptures in the heat of the battle or right in the lowest part of the valley — especially when we know that many times God answers “no” or “not now.”
Sara WILL receive perfect, complete healing. We just don’t know when. Even all the followers of Christ who received healing eventually succumbed to the curse and entered heaven — which, as we know from Paul, is the greater reward.
Part of the process, is not only for her, Chris, but for you and the kids to grow and trust in the Lord now while Sara AND YOU live whether it’s for the next 3 years or 30 years.
God Bless.
on February 24, 2008 on 9:14 pm
Sara,
Thank you for sharing your news, your heart, your struggles, and your confidence in God with so many people. What a privilege to join in your journey.
I wanted to share two verses that God has put on my heart to pray for you daily. The first is 2 Chron. 16:9a – “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” I know your heart is fully committed to Him and I can see that God has already been your “rock and fortress, a very present help in time of trouble.” The second verse is 2 Cor. 1:3 – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” I pray that God would be your constant comfort.
You wrote that you feel God is leading you into a ministry. Indeed, I think He has already begun that ministry….your strength, courage and honesty have strengthened us all.
With love, Wendy Vendt
on February 25, 2008 on 8:46 am
Sara and Chris – Thanks for taking the time to share what the Lord is teaching you – I am humbled by the fact that YOU are a blessing to those who love you, and YOU are the afflicted….
As for Sara’s cancer treatment schedule – I am especially focused on the “kick your butt” chemo. Sara, I have NO doubt that you will kick butt here…. any woman who has labored through THREE children….come on now… I will pray for peace and health throughout..
The Davis family is praying each night… thanks for being one of the reasons we are on our knees as a fam – we love you.
on February 25, 2008 on 6:03 pm
Greetings Sara & Chris from Manila, Philippines.
We are privileged to Journey with you and with Bruce and Beth in this trail path… where the Word of the Lord is the Light Unto our Path!
We simply can offer our daily prayers as well as Intercede with the Angels and Saints before the Throne of the Father with the Spirit in Christ Jesus!
The Lord be with you and your family!
MABUHAY!
on February 25, 2008 on 9:34 pm
Chris,
That is the most cogent and helpful summary of God’s healing I think I’ve ever heard. It helps makes sense of the healing people sometimes experience on earth, but it also points us to Jesus, the Rock of our salvation.
Sara, we continue to pray for you and would like to specifically pray for you during your upcoming chemo and other treatments. Once the schedule is actually set, do you think you guys could give us the specific dates so we can pray? My mother printed out the rough schedule so far and has committed to pray for you from Miami. We love you!
on February 26, 2008 on 1:40 am
Sara & Chris,
Please know that your entire family is in my prayers as you go along this healing journey. Your faithfulness will be rewarded! May God’s bountiful love keep and sustain you.
Love and blessings from California.
Charmaine