They cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. (Psalm 107:19-20)

The Bible tells us that when the Assyrians were threatening the people Judah, King Hezekiah became sick unto death. In fact, the prophet Isaiah went to him and said, “Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live” (2 Kings 20:1). However, the king began to weep and cry out to the Lord for mercy. It is recorded that, before Isaiah was able to leave the king’s palace, the word of the Lord came to him saying, “Tell 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; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord. And I will add to your days fifteen years” (2 Kings 20:5-6).

Quite literally, the Lord sent His word and healed the king of his affliction. In a physical sense, the healing was not immediate — there were specific things he had to do, acts of faith if you will. Still, the Word had been sent and it was declared, “You are healed.” In that regard, it is reminiscent of the Gospel account regarding the ten lepers who came to Messiah for healing. Keeping their distance, they called out to Him, “Master, have mercy on us!” (Luke 17:13). According to the Scriptures, He never touched them; He simply said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” As they went their way in obedience, they were cleansed from their leprosy. Again, the Word was sent and they were healed of their affliction.

We live in an age that allows us to see physicians and medical professionals who have been gifted with insight and expertise in how to treat many of our ailments. That said, the means and the wisdom to treat sickness and disease ultimately comes from the Great Physician — without His help, no remedies would exist. But with all our advancements, there are still those maladies that defy man’s understanding and ability to treat; in those situations, there is only One who can help us. Of course, the greatest of these ailments is the curse of death that sin has brought upon us, a sickness for which there is only one remedy — the redemption and salvation that only God can grant.

Thankfully, He sent His Son the Messiah, the Word made flesh, and healed our disease. But like Hezekiah and the ten lepers, we must respond in faith; we receive our healing by acknowledging our need for a Redeemer and Savior. As it is written, “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9).

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill