"Contend and Receive Your Healing!"

It seems so many are struggling with physical challenges today. How we need the healing touch of God, whether for ourselves or for others.

The Link Between Compassion and Healing

How comforting it is to understand that the Lord God Almighty is touched with the feelings of our infirmities, and He cares. There are many Scriptures that speak of the compassion of Christ and of His heart being moved toward the needs of others.

Compassion alludes to kindness and sympathy. To feel compassion is to feel concerned or sorrow for the sufferings or trouble of another, accompanied by an urge to help. Some synonyms for compassion are kindness, empathy, sympathy, benevolence, and care – all characteristic of a compassionate heart.

One Scripture (and there are many!) which speaks of the compassion of Christ is Matthew 14:14: "And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick."

Here is a familiar verse with a profound truth: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). Just like it was in times past in Scripture so it is today – the heart of God is moved as we cry out to Him in our need.

The apostle Peter encourages us: "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble" (1 Peter 3:8 NIV).

Learning to Walk in Compassion

Even as Christ's heart is touched by the needs of others, so are we to have compassionate hearts and learn to share in His love, intercession, and care for others. A compassionate heart is something we can pray and believe in! As friends have needs, or prayer requests come, or we may just be walking down the street and see the need of another, we can pray for healing, intervention, and God's touch for them.

Scripture tells us God is touched with the feelings of our infirmities (Hebrews 4:15). Yet not only does God have compassion, but He is also able to help.

"Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25) 

"He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering]." (Hebrews 2:18b AMPC)

We are encouraged: "Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16 KJV).

God's love is immeasurable (Ephesians 3:19; Romans 8:39). With confidence, we can come before His throne, whether for fellowship or with a need, believing in His power, His finished work on Calvary, His compassion, and His love.

When we pray for healing, whether for ourselves or for another, it is good to remember that God created our bodies to be healthy and healed. There are many ways God works in healing. Obviously, it is important!

Filling Our Hearts and Minds with His Word

I am thankful for the medical profession, that our bodies can be studied and we can cooperate with healing. I am thankful for the natural things we can do, through diet and exercise, to strengthen our bodies. I am thankful for times when the power of God touches us, bringing healing beyond what good care or time alone would bring.

When I have a need, I like to spend time with the Healer, the Lord Jesus Christ. I will lift my need before Him, then leave it there, at His feet, as I go on to worship and fellowship with Him.

I also love to spend time "soaking" in Scriptures. As I listen to healing Scriptures, I rest in His presence, allowing the Word of God to penetrate my heart.

"So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). As we listen to Scripture, read, or simply think about Scriptures we are familiar with, the Word of God fills our hearts with faith.

Receiving Your Healing

More recently, I had a need I was trusting the Lord to meet. Some friends were also standing with me in prayer. One day, after a time of prayer, I felt "life" touch me. It's hard to explain, but it was a powerful experience. When "life" touched me, a turning came. Through that touch of life, I received healing and regained strength.

 

However, the Lord heals you – through the process of time, instantly, through medical care, through time in His presence – the important thing is that you are healed.

I don't know why sometimes healing comes instantly and other times we don't see it manifest as quickly as we would like. But one thing I do know is this: more healing is experienced when we pray and believe than when we don't! I believe we are going to see even greater authority and victory in the area of healing in the days ahead!

Today, may you be blessed with quality time in the Lord's presence. May the Word of God become rooted in your heart! May you receive life! May healing increase in your body, in every area of need. May faith fill your heart even as you read this; may the Lord touch and bless you even now.

Here are a few Scriptures I'd like to leave with you:

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." (Romans 10:17)

"He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." (Psalm 107:20)

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's." (Psalm 103:2-5)

As we believe in the power and compassion of Christ, whatever the need, may we also position ourselves in the faithfulness of God.

"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD." (Lamentations 3:21-26)