Divine healing in the Bible – Part 20

“So Jesus said to them, “because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you,” Mat 17:18-21.

“Faith … nothing shall be impossible.” Jesus frequently comments on the nature of true faith. He speaks of a faith that can move mountains, cause miracles and healing, and accomplish great things for God. Just what is this faith that Jesus speaks of?

1. Faith produces results: “It shall remove” mountains.
2. Faith is not a belief in “faith” as a force or power, but it is a “faith in God,” Mark 11:22.
3. Faith is a work of God within the hearts of Christians (Mark 9:24; Phil 2:13). It involves an awareness divinely imparted to our hearts that our prayers are answered (Mark 11:23). The Holy Spirit creates it within us; we cannot produce it in our own minds (Rom 12:3; 1 Cor. 12:9).

4. Since faith is a gift imparted to us by Christ, it is important to draw near to Christ and His Word and to deepen our commitment to, and confidence in, him (Rom 10:17; Phil 3:8-15). We are dependent on him for everything; “for without me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5; see also John 3:27; Heb 4:16; 7:25). In other words, we must seek Christ as the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2). His presence and our obedience to His Word are the source and the secret of faith (9:21; John 15:7).

5. Faith is under God’s control. It is given on the basis of His love, wisdom, grace and kingdom purpose. It is given to accomplish His will and to express His love for us. It is not to be used for our own selfish interests (Jas 4:3).

• The Power Of Honest Prayer When We Are Sick
“In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live,” Isaiah 38:1.

“Thou shalt die.” Through Isaiah, God prophesied that Hezekiah would die as the inevitable physical consequence of his sickness. However, much prophecy is conditional (e.g., see Jer. 18:7-10); God does not act deceitfully (Heb 6:18), but He can change His plans as a result of our response to His Word. God’s message to Hezekiah was a direct and unequivocal statement about what would happen if Hezekiah’s affliction was unaltered. But because Hezekiah responded in earnest prayer and in confidence in God’s ability to heal his physical illness, God mercifully answered his prayer and added 15 years to his life.
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