Healing And Praise - by John J. Parsons

" Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise."  (Jeremiah 17:14)


It is good to praise and trust the LORD despite our afflictions, and indeed, suffering itself presents an invitation to come before God in prayer (James 5:13). Suffering offers us a nisayon, a test, for our hearts to be exercised in ways otherwise rendered impossible should the path of our lives be attended without real struggle.


In this connection I am reminded of a quote from Sadhu Sundar Singh, " Should pain and siffering, sorrow, and grief, rise up like clouds and overshadow for a time the Sun of Righteousness and hide Him from your view, do not be dismayed, for in the end this cloud of woe will descend in showers of blessing on your head, and the Sun of Righteousness rise upon you to set no more forever."


It's been said that both the devil and God want your soul, but their approaches are diametricially opposite to one another...God offers you a bitter cup that, after it has been duly tested, will be turned sweet, whereas the devil offers you an artificially sweetened cut that, after it has been duly tested, will be found bitter to the last of the dregs....When you accept the suffering as ordained by God-by the LORD of Glory who could easily deliver you from all trace of its presence in but the twinkling of an eye-your heartache is sanctified, and your praise becomes more dear to Him.


Only the wise and loving LORD knows how bitter waters may be made sweet; only the great Refiner of our souls knows how to bring beauty up from ashes....So heal me, O LORD (even if that means suffering and pain for my life) and I shall be healed; save me, O LORD (do whatever it takes to bring me to the end of myself), and I shall be saved-for You are my praise.



If you are afflicted, troubled, or in any kind of pain, you have a great opportunity to glorify your Father in Heaven by offering Him your praise...Praising God is the appropriate response to all of reality; the affirmation of God's glory transform everything. " Is anyone among you feeling bad? Let him pray. Is anyone feeling good? Let him sing praise" (James 5:13)


Remember that regardless of how you presently feel, your emotional life is centered in the Presence of God...As George Mueller once affirmed, " Be assured-if you walk with Him and look to Him, and expect help from Him, He will never fail you."