119. Prayer and Remedies
Today’s reading: “The Ministry of Healing” pp. 232–233.
A very practical and wonderfully comforting reading this morning.
Notice that “sanction” is mentioned twice,
We have the sanction of the word of God for the use of remedial agencies.
The cure could be wrought only by the power of the Great Healer, yet Christ made use of the simple agencies of nature. While He did not give countenance to drug medication, He sanctioned the use of simple and natural remedies.
So remedial agencies, simple remedies, natural remedies are authorised, warranted, accredited, endorsed, approved of and blessed by “the Great Healer.” Jesus used natural remedies! And he wants us to use them too,
Those who seek healing by prayer should not neglect to make use of the remedial agencies within their reach.
We should employ every facility for the restoration of health, taking every advantage possible, working in harmony with natural laws.
Apparently some feel that use of remedies shows a lack of faith but it is just the opposite,
It is not a denial of faith to use such remedies as God has provided to alleviate pain and to aid nature in her work of restoration. It is no denial of faith to co-operate with God, and to place themselves in the condition most favorable to recovery.
God wants us to be knowledgeable about “the laws of life” and to use them,
God has put it in our power to obtain a knowledge of the laws of life. This knowledge has been placed within our reach for use. We should employ every facility for the restoration of health, taking every advantage possible, working in harmony with natural laws.
So remedies are simply an extension of our prayers. Using them shows that our faith is real,
When we have prayed for the recovery of the sick, we can work with all the more energy, thanking God that we have the privilege of co-operating with Him, and asking His blessing on the means which He Himself has provided.
After considering the examples of Hezekiah and a blind man, the chapter ends with a marvellous paragraph, bringing out three points about prayer for the sick,
- Even if the person dies, don’t lose faith. Remember Ellen writes from experience, when she wrote this she had lost her husband and two children before their time.
- Remember the Father is allowing this experience.
- If the person recovers, ensure they are aware that it is God’s mercy, and they are now “under renewed obligation the Creator” and the “Father of lights.”
Index to “The Ministry of Healing” readings.
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