First Church of God

I really have not been sticking to a lot of my experiments for some stretches of the summer. It's just different when you're routine is so drastically changed. For sure my couch time for reading the Bible has been almost non existent. I've been gone so long I hardly remember what my couch looks like. But my last camp is done, and this mroning I am going to sit and read God's Word.

I decide to try to listen and let God lead me to a scripture. Sometimes nothing amazing happens, but other times... maybe today will be one of those times. So where do you want me to read this morning? Jeremiah. Jeremiah? I think maybe Jeremiah. What chapter? Not 29. 30. 30? Okay Jeremiah 30. Is that God speaking or just my own thoughts? I don't know, lets give it a try. My eyes go right to verse 17. "But I will restore you to health, and heal your wounds, declares the Lord." Hmmm? Lord, You certainly have been bringing this whole healing issue to my attention lately.

Just then Candi asks me if I have a few minutes to talk. She is doing a Bible study and wants to discuss something. "Todays lesson is about healing", she says. Okay God, you've got our attention. I know You are speaking to us on this issue; that is clear. But it is so hard to understand how You work, God. On our trip you chose to heal a knee, a thumb, and flat feet. And yet you chose not to heal the sickness of a local pastor. He died, leaving a wife and sons to go on without him. Why did you let him die? Why has one couple in our church lost three grand baby's this past year? Why would you choose to heal in situations that don't seem critical, and then allow others to lose their lives?

Their must be deeper issues below the surface that I cannot comprehend. The ultimate goal is not a healed knee, arch, or thumb, is it? Those miracles must accomplish something more important. Who knows the affect those miracles will have on issues of greater significance. A knee or a thumb that is restored to health can give hope that other areas of life can be brouoght to wholeness. A restored marriage, a renewed faith, or a saved soul. Are these then the ultimate goals of your miraculous acts of healing? Did three miracles one day give Randy the faith to ask for healing the next day? And how will that healing in Randy's life affect his ability to impact the lives of countless kids in his ministry?

That still does not answer some of the "why" questions. But I will continue to wrestle with this issue. Thank you for speaking so clearly to us today through Your Word.