“Your words were found and I ate them. And Your word became to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of Hosts” (Jer. 15:16).
It is encouraging to find that many of the passages of Scripture that deal with healing point us to the healing power of God’s Word. The reason it is so encouraging is that we have the Word of God in our hands and so can plead with God to fulfill these promises in our lives by faith and the work of His Spirit. Solomon counsels us to cling to God’s Word in our hearts (Prov. 3:1).
The mercy and truth that God speaks forth to you from the Word are designed to work in you a life that will “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6).
The truth embraced and lived is health. “It will be health to your body, and strength to your bones” (Prov. 3:8). The Message paraphrases it like this: “Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!” The ways of God marked out for you in His Word are said to be “ways of pleasantness, and … peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy is everyone who retains her” (Prov. 3:17-18, MEV).
Embracing God’s truth activates all that is good, all that is honoring to God and all that is concerned with true joy. Here is how you find the satisfaction, contentment and appreciation of God and His created gifts and joys. By doing so you implement what God calls you to and you know the fulfillment of God’s promises. You will know the joys of serving your wife or husband, family and community (Ps. 112). By embracing God’s truth, you will know the love of God poured out into your heart (Rom. 5:5). You will know how to deal with fear: “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord” (Ps. 112:7).
It is life renewed to enjoy daily the majesty of God in appreciation of all His gifts to us and callings that rest upon us in a life with anointed purpose.
The healing that comes from the Word of God is described in Nehemiah. The captives who returned from Babylon gathered to hear the Word of God read and explained. The effect of that day was to teach them that “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10c).
The message of the healing power of God’s Word is found throughout the Bible. Psalm 107:20 says, “He sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destruction.” God sends His Word to us. We are often jarred off-center when illness comes our way; we easily get discouraged and flounder in a disoriented perspective of our lives.
Prayer is the opposite of self-reliance. Joy is the opposite of self-pity. A thankful spirit is the opposite of cynicism. These negative dispositions are the things that destroy you; joy, prayer and gratitude are the graces that enliven you and keep you living in the presence of God who is your only source of lasting and satisfying peace. When this new principle dwells in you, you see the folly and vanity of life and understand that everything is contingent upon divine goodness and grace.
When your heart is infused with God’s life, you observe a wholeness and balance and understand that the love and joy you experience today, and the appreciation you can offer in worship now, are elements in your eternal life with Him. This is healing. {eoa}
This is an excerpt from God’s Prescription for Healing by James P. Gills, M.D. Copyright 2004, James Gills, M.D.
James P. Gills, M.D., is the founder and director of St. Luke’s Cataract and Laser Institute in Tarpon Springs, Florida. In addition to earning a reputation as the most experienced cataract surgeon in the world, he has dedicated his life to restoring more than physical vision. Dr. Gills has been an active author about spiritual topics for many years. His books include A Biblical Economics Manifesto, Darwinism Under the Microscope, Come Unto Me, Rx for Worry and Love: Fulfilling the Ultimate Quest.
Abby Trivett 
James Lasher 
Charisma Staff