Day 15: By His Stripes We Are Healed
Isaiah 53:5
Healing and Atonement is a foundational belief in the C&MA. Simpson wrote, in The Gospel of Healing, “This blessed Gospel of physical redemption is beginning to be restored to its ancient place, and the Church is slowly learning to reclaim what she never should have lost.” Nonetheless, a conservative skepticism and rationalism persisted so that they had to “contend earnestly for the faith once delivered unto the saints.” Notice that while God graciously used The Alliance to restore and reclaim this truth, that even then, they had to “contend earnestly” to maintain it, and so should we. Healing and the Church: Jesus’ ministry, as fully described in Isaiah 53, mends and makes us whole.
We live in a world that cries out for relief from anxiety, fear, and depression, desperately needing the peace and healing that Jesus offers. God asks, “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?” (Jer. 8:22). What about the Church—is there no balm in the Church? Yes! It is Jesus. Let’s share this great message with the world.
Healing, Prayer, and the Will of God: The Alliance believes that healing is a spiritual journey that requires prevailing prayer. Acts 4:1–12 reveals that healing is not about how, but who. Focusing on who heals rather than how to achieve it, searching the heart and will of God in our circumstances.
Reflection Prayer
Let us pray full of faith in God’s Word, seek His face until His will is made known, and contend boldly for the gospel of Christ, our Healer.
Father, continue to reveal Jesus as Healer of our spirits, souls, and bodies through the C&MA to a world desperate for peace.
Reveal Your will to me in my journey for healing, that I can confidently say, “Thy will be done” and, “Not to me, oh Lord, but to You be the glory.”
Will you heal through your Spirit, if it will glorify the Father, exalt Jesus Christ, and strengthen Your church? Amen.
Week 3: Christ Our Healer
Isaiah 53:4–5
As we focus on the life of Christ, this week’s theme is Christ Our Healer. God promises healing in both aspects—physical and spiritual. At times, He provides immediate physical healing to encourage gratitude towards God, which can lead to a deeper spiritual relationship, resulting in spiritual healing. Conversely, there are instances where spiritual healing is prioritized, altering the individual’s perspective on pain, and enabling them to endure while awaiting God’s physical intervention. During His time on Earth, Jesus healed many individuals and often remarked that their faith had healed them. Therefore, it is essential to pray with expectant faith. Ultimately, it is at God’s discretion whether He grants miraculous healing or offers the grace for endurance. When Paul implored God three times to remove the thorn from his flesh, God responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, and my strength is made perfect in your weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9).
Reflection Questions
Have you or your family experienced supernatural healing?
How do you pray for an unbeliever’s healing?
How do you comfort someone who prayed for a miracle that didn’t happen?