The Testimony of Sickness
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Join a Discipleship Group2 Chronicles 16:12
Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians.
One of the noblest of the kings of Israel, King Asa, was fully dedicated to serving God his entire life and because of his wisdom, Israel experienced peace. He removed idol worship, trusted in the Lord for their defense, and commanded the people to seek the Lord and obey His commandments. At one point, before heading into battle, he called out to the Lord and declared, "You are our God, let not man prevail against you." He faced an invasion from Egypt of 1 million soldiers with his army of half that size yet Israel prevailed and the enemy was routed.
But at the end of his life, Asa did not seek God and when he got sick, he forgot his dependence on the Lord for healing and he suffered for it. Does this verse mean we should not go to doctors? Is that what the Bible says? I don't believe that is what God is telling us. A missionary hospital in Africa has a sign out front that declares, "We treat. Jesus heals." Doctors cannot cure without God's intervention so regardless of the efforts of others who try to help, our dependence on Him should determine our thoughts and attitudes.
Our life of faith should compel us to trust God when we are sick and cry out to Him for healing and deliverance. James tells us to also call leaders in the church to pray for our healing. Trust God that He knows your every pain and He allows only as much as you can bear. This means that He could have a purpose for the health struggles you face so prayerfully ask Him to reveal those things to you.
Is that injury His way of preventing you from taking a trip that would not be beneficial? Is He trying to force you to slow down and get some rest? Do you need to be alerted to a greater problem that can be uncovered when He sends you to a doctor for a smaller hurt?
Even a health crisis that brings about the end of your life or of someone you love, God can use in ways we cannot fathom. Have a thankful attitude for even the trials that your sickness is bringing and look for ways in which He is using this to get your attention and teach you something. Many people in this world are sick and miserable with no hope. We have hope in Him. The character you display as you trust in the Lord during sickness can be a powerful witness to someone who needs Him.