In His word, God has outlined a holistic approach to the restoration of mind and body, which must of necessity include our health and wellbeing. And the reason for this is because there is a close sympathy between the physical, and spiritual nature of man, and thus, if one aspect is not in a healthy condition, the other can be adversely affected. This past week, the senate voted to repeal Obamacare, and people have become quite concerned, because for some, accessing healthcare may be a daunting task.
Therefore, because we will be directly affected in one way or another by all the decisions of the new legislature, the time has come for us to investigate more closely the evidences and promises pertaining to healthcare, which God has given us in his word.
The four main concerns we have with any proposed health-care plan are: (1) Affordability, (2) Quality, (3) Accessibility, and (4) Coverage for preexisting conditions. These four concerns have already been addressed under the healthcare plan offered by Christ. The good news is that His plan also covers forgiveness of transgressions, and sins, two of the leading causes of diseases in the first place. Disease in most cases, is the result of violating spiritual and natural law, and since it makes no sense to be lost, whilst being healthy, God in His wisdom, and mercy covers both the renewal of mind, and body. Let’s read:
Psalms 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Our case study will focus on Naaman, the Syrian, who, of all people, was deemed a prime candidate for the manifestation of Christ’s miraculous healing power, much to the chagrin of many Hebrews who were suffering from the same deadly disease. The story begins with a little Hebrew slave, who worked in Naaman’s house, and who observed his constant suffering because of this debilitating disease. Thus, instead of focusing on her own plight, she suggests to Naaman, that there was a God-ordained prophet in Israel who could heal his malady. Let’s read:
2nd Kings 5:1Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valor, but he was a leper.
2 And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife.
3 And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.
4 And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.
Now, as a preexisting condition, leprosy was always considered as an incurable disease, by the scientific community of the day, but the very designation of “Incurable” put people on a track of disbelief, for nothing is impossible with God. Thus, before we go any further, it’s important for us to at once dismiss the notion of any disease or malady being incurable, for, from the scriptural perspective that statement is simply not true. There is a cure for leprosy, for aids, for cancer, for diabetes, for the flu, and for every known, and every unknown affliction of man.
This leads us to the next chapter in saga of Naaman, for after hearing the incredibly good news of a cure for an incurable disease, the king of Syria sent out a letter to the king of Israel, requesting that his sick servant be healed. But the king of Israel becomes infuriated at the very suggestion, for, in his mind, the king of Syria must be looking to pick a fight with Israel, for as far as he is concerned, the Syrians are requesting something that’s virtually impossible. It all has to do with the designation of “Incurable”, by the scientific community. Let’s read:
2nd Kings 5:5 And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment.
6 And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy.
7 And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.
Thus it was, when Elisha heard of the king’s rant, he sent for Naaman, who came expecting to be healed immediately. But Elisha gave him a remedy that was so simple that Naaman became quite offended by its simplicity. There are several reasons why, to all appearances, and evidences, Naaman should not be a candidate for miraculous healing.
[1] The Syrians had invaded the land of Israel. [2] Leprosy was designated as incurable. [3] Naaman manifested a bad attitude, when told to go, have a bath in the river Jordan. However, with all of these negatives, he finally obeyed, by dipping in the water seven times, and the rest is history, for his skin became clean and tender as a child’s. Let’s read:
2nd Kings 5:10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.
13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
If Elisha had told Naaman to do 1000 push ups, and 500 burpies, he would have willingly done so, but the simplicity of God’s healing wounded Naaman’s pride. The same is true of many cases in our day, for many people prefer to do extensive surgeries, and invasive procedures, and millions of others prefer to purchase expensive drugs such as the following:
Olysio (simeprevir), Janssen: $44,800…. For two bottles of 28 capsules each.
HP Acthar (corticotropin), Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals: $51,600…. For two vials.
Harvoni (ledipasvir and sofosbuvir), Gilead Sciences: $79,200. ... for a course of treatment.
Sovaldi (sofosbuvir), Gilead Sciences: $81,000…. For a one year course, or $1,000.00 per pill. Etc.
In other words, if the prophet bids us do some great thing, many people will acquiesce, but to go with the simple, God-ordained natural remedies, most, like Naaman will become offended, and walk away in a great rage. Let’s read:
[Selected messages pp. 287] There are many ways of practicing the healing art, but there is only one way that Heaven approves. God's remedies are the simple agencies of nature that will not tax or debilitate the system through their powerful properties. Pure air and water, cleanliness, a proper diet, purity of life, and a firm trust in God are remedies for the want of which thousands are dying; yet these remedies are going out of date because their skillful use requires work that the people do not appreciate.
Fresh air, exercise, pure water, are within the reach of all with but little expense but drugs are expensive both in the outlay of means and in the effect produced upon the system.
This leads us to the very core of our study, because Christ gave a commentary on the issue of Naaman, together with the widow of Sidon, who, for some reason, ended up being beneficiaries of miracles of Christ, whilst the Hebrews who claimed to know all about God, were left destitute. Thus, the following passages, should be read very slowly, and soberly, for the words of Christ have very deep implications for our day, when we will need to trust God for any, and everything. Let’s read:
Luke 4:24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.
25 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way.
What Christ was implying in His commentary is that the Jews were allowing somebody to eat their lunch whilst they themselves were dying of starvation and hunger, and a host of other “Incurable diseases”. For instance, we read of the devastating effects of the three and a half year drought, which brought the nation of Israel to its knees, and which took a fearful toll on man and beast. But while this is going on, a widow from Sidon is doing three square meals a day, with absolutely nothing to worry about. And thus, Christ’s question to both the Jews back then, and to Christians living today is, “What’s going on?” Let’s read:
[Prophets & Kings. Pp 124>125] Night after night, throughout the doomed land, their cries and entreaties arise. But no clouds appear in the heavens by day to hide the burning rays of the sun. No dew or rain refreshes the thirsty earth. A year passes, and yet there is no rain. The earth is parched as if with fire. The scorching heat of the sun destroys what little vegetation has survived. Streams dry up, and lowing herds and bleating flocks wander hither and thither in distress.
Once-flourishing fields have become like burning desert sands, a desolate waste. The groves dedicated to idol worship are leafless; the forest trees, gaunt skeletons of nature, afford no shade. The air is dry and suffocating; dust storms blind the eyes and nearly stop the breath. Once-prosperous cities and villages have become places of mourning. Hunger and thirst are telling upon man and beast with fearful mortality. Famine, with all its horror, comes closer and still closer.
But through all of this, an obscure widow is doing lunch every day, and she has enough to spare for her guest, Elijah! And whilst millions of Hebrews are spending their hard-earned money on man-made healthcare systems, in order to deal with cancers, and diabetes, and heart disease, the flu, and other “Incurable diseases”, Naaman from Syria is enjoying good health, by just dipping seven times in water, one of the cheapest natural remedies known to man. Now, something is absolutely wrong with this picture, and that’s what Christ was saying. But the people became quite offended, and took Christ to the brow of a cliff to throw Him over.
Now, it is true that in some cases, Christ may not choose to heal every preexisting condition, and He may instead give grace to deal with the crisis, but this fact should not prevent us from believing that all things are still possible with God. The times that are just ahead will require a radical faith that can withstand the pressures of society to yield to the powers that be. For instance, the implementation of the mark of the beast will essentially bring to an end, all access to any man-made healthcare system, and when that time comes, what will you and I do, if we have not made it a habit to trust in God fully? Let’s read:
[The great Controversy. pp 621>622] The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger,—a faith that will not faint, though severely tried. The period of probation is granted to all to prepare for that time. Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His victory is an evidence of the power of importunate prayer.
All who will lay hold of God's promises, as he did, and be as earnest and persevering as he was, will succeed as he succeeded. Those who exercise but little faith now, are in the greatest danger of falling under the power of Satanic delusions and the decree to compel the conscience. And even if they endure the test, they will be plunged into deeper distress and anguish in the time of trouble, because they have never made it a habit to trust in God. The lessons of faith which they have neglected, they will be forced to learn under a terrible pressure of discouragement. We should now acquaint ourselves with God by proving his promises.
In closing, we must outline again, in the simplest format, the methods by which God provides for the spiritual, and physical healing of those who trust in Him.
[1] Faith: Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
[2] Obedience: Exodus 15:26 If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, for I am the Lord that healeth thee.
[3] The use of natural remedies: 2nd Kings 20:7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.
John 9:6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the
ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
[4] A simple diet of fruit, vegetables, nuts, and grains: Genesis 1:29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal.
2 And on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
[5] Adequate rest: Psalms 127:2 It is vain for you to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Proverbs 3:24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
[6] No eating between meals: 1st Kings 19: 5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.
6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.
7 And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.
8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights
unto Horeb the mount of God.
[7] Temperance in all things: 1st Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
[8] Regular exercise: Joshua 5:6 For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness….
[9] Trusting God to take up the slack in cases of emergencies: Psalms 50:15 Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear…
If these instructions are followed faithfully, we will experience a drastic reduction in healthcare costs, and our strength, and energy will be renewed like the eagle’s. Let’s read:
Isaiah 40:29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word.
God bless!