2Kings:15
Uzziah was a king who ruled over Judah and he did good in the sight of the Lord, like his father, Amaziah. And he was probably one of the longest reigning king of Judah - for 52 years.
But he was struck with leprosy, and he had the illness till the day he died. There was no healing for him. There were even worse kings than him. But he was the only king who died a leper. He did not have healing. Was it because he couldn't appropriate faith? Was it because he didn't pray much? Was it because of his sins?
I really don't know why. But one thing I know for sure; that God knew what He was doing. He was sure and He was in full control. He did not let Satan take over. No.
Even Paul, the greatest apostle had a thorn in his flesh. He prayed. He definitely prayed with faith. But ultimately the answer that he got was different. Not healing. But grace to forbear it.
My mom was diagnosed with systemic sclerosis which is a connective tissue disease which progresses to involve all systems, when she was about 54 years old. We prayed with great faith for a miraculous intervention. We believed that God would heal.and she was a prayerful lady too.
The 5 year survival rate for any connective tissue disease is generally poor, this being one of the worst. But she lived with it for about 15 years and then she was taken back home.
Nissy's dad was diagnosed to have a bad colorectal malignancy when we were about to get married. He survived it for 5 years and then was taken back ashore. We prayed for healing. We firmly believed God would heal. But that wasn't God's way.
I do not have an answer. Why does God heal some, whereas he doesn't heal others.
Amma and Papa, through the illness learnt to be dependant on God. Both were hardworking people who strived hard in this world. Both were pious and God fearing too. But sickness helped them to holdfast to Him alone....and we too.
Sometimes healing is not the answer we need, though that is the answer we desire. Sometimes a 'yes' is what we love to hear from God. But He says 'no'. It would be hard to take. Very hard to wait. We see them suffer. We see ourselves in pain. The mental and physical torment. But He continues to teach, 'My grace is enough'.
Let us pray, not just that His will alone would happen in our lives. But He would open up and tell us what He desires us to learn through the 'no' or 'wait'.
It is about grace. It is about faith. It is about clinging on. It is about denying self. It is about demolishing all our strongholds and pride. It is about setting aside all my self sufficiency and giving Him alone the driver seat.
Let us pray for a positive answer. But let us not be adamant to receive that alone. His grace is sufficient for us to go through this difficult time.
Rom:8:28 is always always true.
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ReplyDeleteYes Amen sickness helped us to holdfast to Him alone. May all the tribulations we face help us to holdfast to Him alone too 🙏
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