WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.
He sent out His Word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for His wondrous works to the children of man”
Psalm 107:19-21 ESV
WHEN SICKNESS HAPPENS: PRAY
A lady was out hitting all the local garage sales when she came across an old needlepoint picture that read, “Prayer Changes Lives.” She bought it, took it home and decided that it went well in the dining room over the dining room table. She admired her garage sale discovery and could hardly wait to show it to her husband. That evening when her husband arrived home from work, she showed the picture to him, but he made no indication one way or another of his likes or dislikes of the new picture.
The next day as the lady was cleaning the house, she discovered that the new picture was gone. As she continued to clean the house, she discovered the picture behind a bookcase. She thought, “That’s strange,” and re-hung the picture in its original location. The next day, to her dismay, she discovered the picture was gone again and again discovered it behind the bookcase.
When her husband arrived home, she confronted her him and asked him if he was displeased with the art of the needlepoint, to which he responded, “No, not at all, it is a great work of art.” She asked, “Is it the place? Is it the message?” He said “No, not at all, the message and the place are great.” Finally, she said, “Then what’s the problem?” He said, “I just don’t like change.”
Most of us don’t like change unless we are in a bad situation. The bible teaches us that our prayers change things. God is an unchangeable God who has answered prayers in the past and is still in the business of answering prayers and changing things. Psalm 107 reminds us God can heal us with a simple word. One of the first things we should do when we are sick is pray for God’s healing and see how He chooses to respond. Sometimes He uses the miracle of modern medicine and the gifts He’s given doctors and nurses. Then there are times when God supernaturally steps in and brings healing. Other times He gives us the gift of His Holy Spirit to walk with us through the sickness. Either way, God hears and God answers.
God typically has three answers to our prayers: Yes, no or wait. What is the last sickness you asked God to heal in you or someone else? Which of those three answers did God give you? A great way to track God’s faithfulness is a simple journal. Try journaling some of your prayer request and God’s answers. You will be amazed when you look back and see His faithfulness.
