Day 16: The Lord Who Restores Health
Jeremiah 30:17
Restoration is a beautiful word and perhaps the most important in our language. It means for something to be brought back to its original condition. It’s no secret that the longer we live, the more potential there is for increased brokenness in our lives. We experience broken bodies, broken relationships, and broken hearts. Our dreams can feel as though they have been dashed upon the rocks of a craggy shore, and we are left with the pieces of what used to be whole and healthy. Such experiences can leave us feeling vulnerable, lonely, and wondering how it could have gone so wrong. The prophet Jeremiah speaks to us in such moments, and he speaks clearly. He does not deny or minimize the situation, rather he reminds us that this is not the end of the story. He tells us that God is able to repair what’s broken and restore what’s been lost. He reminds us that God is tender toward us in times of weakness. God is everything we would want from a physician who is giving us a difficult diagnosis. He knows the problem and the plan of treatment, but also knows something our earthly doctor cannot promise. He knows healing is assured because He is the source of our help, our hope, and our healing! He gave us this life and can do something with every aspect of it. The problem may be ever before you, but look beyond it to the One who cares for you like no other.
Reflection Prayer
Father, thank You for making us Your children. We are comforted by Your continual presence and perfect care. We admit our heartaches while living in this world, but we rejoice that they fade fully into the background as we approach eternity. May Your power be evident among us as we ask for healing for these mortal bodies, provision where we are in need, and restoration for what is broken. Grant us faith and allow answers to our most earnest prayers. We hold everything before You and know Your ways are perfect, so we rest in You. 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?
