Some time later, the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream and said:
I heard your prayer, and I have chosen this temple as the place where sacrifices will be offered to me.
Suppose I hold back the rain or send locusts to eat the crops or make my people suffer with deadly diseases.
If my own people will humbly pray and turn back to me and stop sinning, then I will answer them from heaven. I will forgive them and make their land fertile once again.
I will hear the prayers made in this temple,…Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2 Chronicles 7:12-15 (CEV)
The angel showed me a river that was crystal clear, and its waters gave life. The river came from the throne where God and the Lamb were seated. Then it flowed down the middle of the city’s main street. On each side of the river are trees that grow a different kind of fruit each month of the year. The fruit gives life, and the leaves are used as medicine to heal the nations. God’s curse will no longer be on the people of that city. He and the Lamb will be seated there on their thrones, and its people will worship God and will see him face to face. God’s name will be written on the foreheads of the people.          Revelation 22:1-4 (CEV)
Throughout the Bible we read about healing. God created all and called it good and then it turned very sour. For me the first healing mentioned in the Bible was the flood. God destroyed the all He had created except for what He placed in the ark and began again. Healing is like that sometimes. What was has to be destroyed in order to bring forth the healing. I don’t like to think about that. I want God to supernaturally and painlessly restore what has become broken. I am looking with a different vision than God.
In both of these Scriptures when God speaks about healing He doesn’t tell me about the help He needs to accomplish what He is going to do. He doesn’t need my help. He doesn’t say that I need a certain measure of faith. What God does say is about my attitude. It is about coming to Him with humility and with a heart that says, “I want to change to Your way, God.†Let go of the pride and take God’s outstretched hand. I can’t take His hand if both of mine are holding on to all my stuff.
When I think about raising the dead, my mind goes to the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-17). Luke says that Jesus walked up to the mother first. He wanted to heal this mother’s heart. She didn’t request it. Jesus knew what was needed. It was not uncommon for children to die in those days. There were no antibiotics. No vaccinations against tetanus. “Fevers†weren’t minor annoyances but life-threatening illness. A widow with no male children could starve to death herself as she had no rights to property and very little opportunities to provide herself with food and shelter. Jesus gave her back her son and her life.
Does every person we pray for receive healing? Does God still raise people from the dead? Yes. “But –,†you say. There are no “buts†except “but I don’t understandâ€. When we pray and ask God for His healing power whether for healing or to bring someone back to this life and He doesn’t answer the way we believe, this is when we aren’t on the same page. In my prayer, did I pray with a Kingdom heart? See Revelation? The leaves were for the healing of nations. Was I praying with the desire for God to be the focus in the answer? Remember when Jesus went to raise Lazarus from the dead? “It is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.†It wasn’t just about whether Lazarus was dead or alive but whether those who saw the events were more focused on Jesus. It was about the people understanding that they were God’s people and He was actively in their lives.
God hears our prayers. His answer may be different than what we ask, not out of disinterest or lack of love or care. He answers because of His great love and care. He answers with the best answer. Are our eyes open to see it? Are our minds and hearts open to know it? God is so loving that He will listen and listen and listen to our questions. He may answer with an explanation. He may answer only with His love.
God is still in the miracle business. If you are asking for a miracle today, God will answer. When praying, don’t forget to ask Jesus to give you ears to hear and a heart to receive His answer. The best answer.
