
A couple of weeks ago, we had a woman stand up in church – holding a report from the doctor – which revealed she had been healed from cancer. Yesterday, we had a church member – full of faith – die from cancer.
To those of us who live within the confines of this earth – its concept of time and the confines of our own finite minds, these two events seem to conflict one another in our faith.
Both persons have the same promises of God’s healing. Both have the faith to be healed. One lives on here and one goes on to heaven. To us, a great mystery.
We so want to stem the flow of death. We so want to know what will cause the apparent “leak” in our faith (some prayed for and not healed) to stop.
The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:24: “By His stripes we are healed”. This echoes the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 53:5. Psalm103:3 says, “Who (God) heals all your diseases.”
So, if all are healed by Jesus, why don’t we see it?
As a studier of the Word, I have to depend upon it to answer such questions. It is easy to blame those who pray or the sick one saying they have a lack of faith. I don’t dispute that faith is necessary. But, how much faith does it take?
A closer look at scripture may give us another clue into this apparent mystery.
You may remember Elisha, the great prophet of Israel who received a double portion of the spirit of Elijah. Elisha performed many supernatural miracles. Tucked inside scripture, we see this written:
Now Elisha had been suffering from the illness from which he died. 2 Kings 13:14. So, Elisha – the great miracle worker was sick and died of a disease. And if this were not confusing enough – after Elisha died, he performed his last miracle by raising a dead man:
Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet. 2 Kings 13:21
There is another man – powerful man of God – miracle man – who I’ve noticed some things about.
The Lord performed signs and wonders through the apostle Paul. Handkerchiefs were carried from his body and laid upon sick people and they recovered (Acts 19:11-12). In the letter to Timothy we know as Second Timothy – in chapter 4, verse 20, Paul told Timothy that he left one of his companions – Trophimus behind in the city of Miletus and that Trophimus was sick when Paul left. Couldn’t the prayer of the apostle Paul heal Trophimus? But in this case, he was still sick when Paul left.
We all remember Paul’s thorn in the flesh. Many argue that Paul’s thorn was a person who persecuted him. I believe there is just as much biblical evidence to say that Paul’s thorn was a physical malady – most likely a problem with his eyes.
As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Galatians 4:13-15
As Paul was signing off, he mentioned how large his writing was because of his eye problem:
See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! Galatians 6:11

Have you ever wondered why believers are martyred?
My point is this: if every situation ended in healing in the “here and now”, why do we have these biblical accounts? Why are some believers killed for standing up for Jesus?
I am a huge believer in divine healing. I believe God heals now. I’ve seen it with my eyes. I’ve laid hands on people and they have been healed. But to say that it manifests in this life in every single instance…….I’m not sure we see that in the Bible.
Here is what I know: every believer in Jesus in healed through the covenant they have with God. It is already done and when we pray, it is released. The question is not “if” they will be healed. The question is “when”. In this life or the moment they step into glory – all are healed!
Some don’t like that answer but doesn’t the Bible itself reveal that to us?
Our job is to pray and believe. God’s part is to heal. If you are sick, I’ll pray and believe. I know you are healed so, let’s pray. God is awesome! And, He is Sovereign. You can trust Him in all things!
But, this place is not heaven and according to the apostle Paul:
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:25-26
In this life, believers will be healed. In this life, believers will die. But, all have the same destiny and promise. By His stripes we ARE healed. Be at peace in your faith in the Lord.