My Lord, my God, My Jehovah Rapha
From my poem – The Names of God
The Master who heals my ills and flaws
He provides for my body, mind, and soul.
His healing powers can make me whole.
Even when my body begins to fail
My Savior’s love will always prevail.
As we continue this study, I think it might be helpful to also look at the meaning of the name Jehovah. Let’s look at the word from the original Hebrew:
“The chief meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word Havah meaning “to be” or “to exist.” It also suggests “to become” or specifically “to become known” – this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly.”
https://womanofnoblecharacter.com/jehovah-rapha/
I love how this definition fits in with our study and shows how God reveals himself to us. Each new name we look at reveals a little more about the true nature of God.
Healing
According to Strong’s Bible studies, the name Rapha means “to heal or to make complete.” The word Rapha appears 68 times in the Old Testament. Even though the term does not get mentioned in the New Testament, we see the multitude of healing miracles performed by Jesus during His life on earth. When we read through the verses which use the word, we find God heals both physical and emotional wounds. God’s healing is not limited to people either. We see how He also restores the lands and situations for His people.
[bctt tweet=”God can heal all things if we turn them over to Him in prayer.”]
What, in your life, needs healing today? Do you have a physical ailment that needs a touch of the Master? Or are your wounds deep inside where no one but Jesus can see them? God can heal all things if we turn them over to Him in prayer and believe in His anointing. Matthew 19:26 tells us: Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” I find so much comfort in this verse.
Does God Hear Me?
But what happens when healing does not occur? Did we lack faith, or did God just chose not to heal us? The world views these times of unhealing as proof that God does not exist. But, those thoughts are far from the truth. God hears and answers every one of our prayers, all the time. Usually, when we feel like God is ignoring us, it is because we don’t like His answer not because He did not honor our request. Our God is not a genie in a bottle that gives us everything our heart desires. God wants us to give Him our hearts and to enter into a relationship. The last few verses in Roman 11 remind us that God knows everything, including what is best for us.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and I knowledge of God!
Romans 11:33-36
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
[bctt tweet=”God is not a genie in a bottle that gives us everything our heart desires. He wants our hearts and a relationship”]
How Does God Answer?
Sometimes God says no to our prayers for healing. God can and will use a time of illness to teach us or others something, like patience. Or maybe, through the sickness, God will direct your steps to a different path. When we trust God to do His will in our lives, the roadway will not always be smooth. Many people will fall away from their faith because God did not give them what they wanted. Often, our faith is tested most when God answers no. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 7:14, “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Don’t give up. God still hears you and loves you. The reward awaits us in our heavenly home.
The hardest answer for me is when God says not now. I tend to be a go-getter makes things happen kind of gal, so when the Lord says wait, I cringe. I know the Lord is teaching me to wait on Him. But, God also sees into the future, and He knows the best timing for the healing to occur. Everything happens for the glory of God, and that might mean we have to wait.
[bctt tweet=”God hears and answers every one of our prayers.”]
Finally, some of God’s answers to our prayers for healing will be yes. Some cures might be miraculous healings for God’s glory. Or, you might wake up one morning and feel better. Either way, we must not be like the lepers in Luke 17. Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one returned to thank Him. Praise His holy name for being made whole again.
No matter the answer when you pray for healing 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to give thanks in all circumstances. If you are struggling with a chronic illness or are trying to wait patiently on the Lord, here are some verses that might help you to continue to hope in the Lord:
Verses to Encourage You
Jeremiah 30:17 – I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the LORD. He wants us healthy and happy.
Isaiah 53:3-4 – Surely he has taken up our grief and pain, and carried our sorrows. He carried our grief, sorrow and pain on Calvary.
Isaiah 40:18-29 – Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Job 6:10 – This would be my comfort; I would even exult in pain unsparing, for I have not denied the words of the Holy One, my God.
Isaiah 40:31 – But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Those who put their trust in the Lord will run and not get tired; they will walk and not fall behind.
Matthew 5:4 – Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
Psalm 30:5 – Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Blessings,
Yvonne – #blogger, #speaker, and #author
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
100% of the proceeds from sales of my book, Turning Mountains Into Molehills, go to help the orphans at Orphan Relief Effort, Inc
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