“The length or severity of your trial or disease has nothing to do with God’s ability to heal.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 23, 2024
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John 9:1-3
After my first visit to Oasis of Hope hospital for cancer treatment in July 2023, the doctors told my husband and I that it would be wise for us not to go back to our home in the Colorado mountains because the elevation could make it difficult to breathe. There was cancer in my lungs. So, off we went to live with one of our girls, our son-in-law, and our two grandsons in St. Louis.
While there, the Lord gave me the honor of experiencing many divine appointments, including praying for Uber drivers. One afternoon, I wanted to pick up a few art supplies and didn’t want to intrude upon our kids’ workday, so I decided to Uber it. Just a few minutes after I got in the car I said, “I’m not from here. My husband and I are just here for a few months while I’m recovering from cancer. We’re staying with our kids. We’ve been doing a lot of prayer and God’s been doing some amazing, healing things in my body.”
What he said next made my ears perk up.
“I had cancer in 2014,” he said. “It started in my heel. The doctors said it was a strained muscle. But then it spread all over the bottom of my foot. Then they realized it was cancer and it had to be surgically removed. I had to quit my construction job. I’m basically crippled now so I drive Uber.”
I tried to find some words of comfort for him. “That must be really difficult to have a huge life change like that.”
He nodded.
I asked him, “Do you believe in prayer?” I hoped he would allow me to pray for him.
“Not really” he said. “It’s been nine years.” He shrugged his shoulders.
I wonder if what he was really saying was, “It’s been. . .
nine long years of grief.
nine long years of fear.
nine long years of sadness.
nine long years of feeling like I’ve been put on the shelf.
nine long years of disappointment.
And I wonder if it had been nine years of asking God for deliverance until he gave up. I wonder if he didn’t know that he’s in a spiritual battle. Certainly, if God was going to show up, he would’ve shown up already, right?
Maybe if he was honest, he would have said, “I don’t believe in prayer because it doesn’t work.”
In Acts 14:8-10, there was a man who had been lame from birth. But as he listened to Paul and God’s message of grace, Scripture says that Paul saw that the man had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that the man jumped up and began to walk.
He didn’t think, “No, I don’t believe because I have always been this way. It’s been too long. I can’t change. I can’t be healed.” Instead, he believed, and he was healed when Paul prayed for him.
I wonder what could have happened for my Uber driver if he had said, “Yes, I believe in prayer even though it’s been nine long years and healing seems impossible.” Maybe we could have prayed and perhaps Jesus would’ve shown up to do a miracle through the power of the Holy Spirit right there in his little Uber car.
There is good news! The length or severity of your trial or disease has nothing to do with God’s ability to heal. It doesn’t mean He has forgotten you. But having faith positions us to receive the healing Jesus offers us. Healing makes us say, “Yes, Lord. I believe, and I am ready to receive what you have for me.” Keep asking.
“Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me” (Psalm 30:2).
Prayer
Lord, it’s been a long time. It would be easy to give up and stop asking, but I’m going to press through and believe you for my breakthrough. You are able and you see me. Amen.
Application
Pray for someone else today who needs a breakthrough.
Related Reading
James 5:14-15; Proverbs 4:20-22; Psalm 107:19-21
Worship Resource
Larnelle Harris: But God
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