The best way to receive Divine Healing is by seeking God. He alone is all-powerful and all-knowing. He created our bodies and should be the first person we consult when there is a problem. The Bible answers all of our questions about how to be healed. Gaining a deeper understanding of what the Bible says about healing can strengthen your faith and prevent you from being led astray from the truth.
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It can be challenging to know what to do when you are sick or know someone who is. The problem is that, as humans, we tend to look for a specific formula. We want someone to tell us exactly how to experience healing. Sadly, for some, we can be taken advantage of by empty promises or lured away from our faith in God as the enemy convinces us to try other things that are not in the Scriptures.
We place ourselves at risk when we do not know what the Word of God says about healing. We cannot go astray when we better understand what the Bible says about healing. This post will look closely at the Old and New Testaments.
With God, praying is the first and last step to receive Divine healing. The Bible commands us to pray about everything. Of course, we should listen to those God has gifted with the knowledge to understand medicine, but it is crucial that we still pray about the information and medical advice they give. When we pray and listen to God’s voice, sometimes, God will lead us to obtain a second opinion, or He may instruct us to another physician who can best help.
After we know the situation, we must seek God for healing, but what does that mean? How can we be healed? Let’s search the Scriptures to understand.
Understanding Healing In the Bible
As we search the scriptures to understand better what God says about healing, we see that sickness existed throughout the Old and New Bible Testaments. When Adam and Eve sinned by eating the forbidden fruit, disease, pain, illness, and death entered our world. Now, we no longer live in Eden, but we live in a sinful and fallen world where there are times when people get sick, and everyone will eventually die once.
Remembering that this was not God’s original plan for humanity is essential. Sickness and death are consequences of Adam and Eve’s original sin, but thankfully, God has provided our healing and wholeness when we pray with faith.
Faith and trust are essential ingredients for healing. We must believe and become thoroughly convinced that God can heal when we need healing. We must also trust that God does what is best, even if it means not allowing complete recovery on Earth as we want.
Understanding Healing In The Old Testament
The Old Testament points to three specific things that people did for healing:
- They prayed to God with faith.
- They sought the help of a Prophet or Priest.
- They followed all instructions of God.
Prayer is a powerful way to connect with God and ask for His help. When people pray to God for healing, they should confess their sins and ask for forgiveness. They should also express their faith and trust in God’s healing power.
In the Old Testament, people came to the Prophet or Priest to ask God for what was needed. So, if anyone needed healing, they would ask the Prophet. In the Bible, the Prophet or Priest released God’s healing to people by laying their hands on them, speaking a word, or giving a direction to follow.
King Hezekiah’s Divine Healing
According to Scripture, Hezekiah was a faithful king who became sick unto death. The Prophet Isaiah told him to get his house in order because he would die from the sickness and not recover. As the Prophet left, Hezekiah prayed and wept bitterly. He said, “Now, O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight( 2 Kings 20:3)”. The Bible says that God heard his prayer and he turned the Prophet around and told him to go back.
Turn back and say to Hezekiah, the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your Father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day, you shall go up to the house of the Lord, and I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake or my servant David’s sake. “And Isaiah said, “Bring a cake of figs. And let them take and lay it on the boil, that he may recover.” (2 Kings 20:5-6).
When Hezekiah prayed, he was given instructions from God. The instructions came from God as delivered through the Prophet. The instructions were two-fold. He was to place a cake of figs on his boil and go up to the House of the Lord (tabernacle) on the third day.
Hannah’s Divine Healing
The story of Hannah gives another Old Testament example of praying to God for healing. Hannah was barren and went to the temple to pray and ask God to heal her. She even made a vow to God.
And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”
As she prayed, the Prophet Eli thought she was drunk, but when Hannah explained she was not, he blessed her and gave her Godly instructions. The Bible says that he told her, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.”
In due time, Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:20).
She was healed of her barrenness, had a son named Samuel, and kept her promise to dedicate the child to the Lord. The Bible says that Eli’s sons were not God-fearing, and they did not know God. Having Samuel grow up with Eli allowed someone besides Eli’s sons to learn the priestly duties. God did not leave Hannah without children when she gave Samuel to grow up with Eli. The Bible says Hannah visited Samuel during the yearly sacrifice and always made him a robe each year. Eli spoke a blessing over her and her husband again, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters (1 Samuel 2:18-21).
Understanding Healing In the New Testament
In the New Testament, people received healing by following the same three steps. They prayed with faith. They sought Jesus, and they followed instructions. When Jesus was alive, anyone seeking healing sought Jesus as the priest. The Bible says Jesus was our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14).
There are numerous accounts of Jesus’ healing in the New Testament, and each time was different. One example of a New Testament healing was the ten lepers who sought to be healed by Jesus. They called out to Jesus for help, and He directed them to go to the priest and show themselves to him. The healing occurred as they followed directions and went to the priest (Luke 17:11-19). Another time, He placed mud on the blind man’s eyes and told him to wash in the pool of Siloam (John 9:6-7). Yet other times, Jesus spoke a word and declared a person’s healing.
Divine Healing of Loved Ones In the New Testament
There are at least three examples where someone came to Jesus on behalf of a sick friend or relative, and Jesus healed the ill person simply by speaking. One example is in Mark 7:24-30 and Matthew 15:21-28, where a non-Jewish woman came to Jesus pleading that he heal her demon-oppressed daughter. Jesus granted that healing and commented on the woman’s great faith.
In Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10, the Bible teaches about a Centurian who came to Jesus because his servant was near death. The Centurian told Jesus that he was not worthy to have Jesus come into his home but understood the authority of Jesus. He believed the servant could recover if Jesus spoke the word. According to the scripture, Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that moment (Matthew 8:13 ESV).
Finally, in John 4:46-54, an official came to see Jesus because his son was sick unto death. He asked Jesus to come before his son died. This man did not have great faith but believed enough to ask Jesus to help. Instead of coming with the man to heal the son, the Bible states that Jesus told him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the words Jesus spoke and went on his way. As the man headed home, he met his servants, who said the boy was recovering.
The Paralyzed Man Receives Divine Healing
One story in the New Testament exemplifies what we should do now. In this story, the friends of a paralyzed man believed that Jesus could heal their friend, so they lowered the paralyzed man down through the roof while Jesus was speaking. The story is in Matthew 9:1–8, Mark 2:1–12, and Luke 5:17–26. Interestingly, in all three accounts, Jesus forgave the paralyzed man’s sins before healing him.
The friends brought the man to Jesus because they understood that Jesus was the only one who could help. Jesus forgave the paralyzed man’s sins because that was a vital part of the paralyzed man’s needs. Forgiveness from sin is what we all need, and it is what He came to give us.
Jesus knows that sin takes its toll on us. So he forgave the man of his sins and then healed him. In Romans 6:23, The Bible clearly states that the wages of sin is death. Our sins are leading us to an end that separates us from God. Remember, sickness and death are not the will of our Heavenly Father, which is why He sent His Son Jesus. Our Father wants us to have health and Eternal life.
Understanding Divine Healing Today
After Jesus ascended to Heaven, the Bible gives clear instructions on how to deal with sickness. James 5:14-16 clearly states that we should call for the church’s elders, and they should anoint us with oil in the name of the Lord and pray in faith. The Lord promises to raise the sick person and to forgive their sins.
God decides whether to heal us on Earth or take us home to Heaven, where there will be no more sickness and pain. Although we may want longer life on Earth, sometimes our healing does not happen on Earth. As hard as it may be to accept, we must trust God’s plan. He still has forever planned for us. We must have faith that He will heal us in whatever way is best, and we must take comfort in the fact that He promises to help.
Eternal life is a precious gift from God given to all who will receive it. Jesus died to save and heal us. The truth is, we can not go to Heaven with unforgiven sins. There is simply no sin in Heaven. Although we can never be perfect, since no person is perfect, to make it into Heaven, we must be forgiven and redeemed through the saving grace of Jesus.
God wants us healed, living well on Earth, and on our way to experiencing eternal life with Him. We should desire the same. To be healthy but not on our way to Heaven would not be sufficient, but if we have unforgiven sins, we will not experience all of God’s goodness. We must deal with them as a priority so that we are healthy and convinced that Heaven will be our home one day. God wants us to be in good health and for our souls to be prosperous.
A Prayer For Divine Healing
We must rely on God and believe in His Word regarding Divine healing. Our priority should be forgiveness, which is essential for achieving overall wholeness, well-being, and eternal life. Divine Healing comes from Jesus, and prayer is the key that opens that door. Whether we need healing or know someone who does, let us come to Jesus with our requests. He is the only one who can provide the help we need. Let’s pray together now.
Additional Resources
Krystal, I was so touched by your words of wisdom on healing. I have received healing from the Lord many times. I stand at His door again and I needed to read accounts of how others have gained access to His touch again. I was encouraged. Though we are not faithful; yet he is faithful, He cannot deny Himself….its the definition of His mercy on us freely given.
It makes my heart happy to see your comment. Remember God is able and He loves us. I will be standing with you asking God to bring healing to you. Listen for His guidance and trust him, I pray that God gives you the strength to relentlessly pursue Him for your healing. Please reach out to share your testimony. Thank you again for letting me know you read my post today.