The God Who Heals

Greetings, Precious Family. May the Peace of the Lord be with you always.

Family, I pray you have enjoyed this latest mini series on the names of God and their meanings. I hope you have been able to see that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

One thing I would highly recommend is for you to the entire chapter where each scripture is coming from. Reading the entire chapter gives you a bigger picture of what is happening and helps you to see that we are more alike than we are different. The Bible does not hide the weaknesses of God’s people; it reveals them so we can recognize our own need for Him.

The name of God I am focusing on today is Jehovah Rapha, which means The God Who Heals. The first time it is used in scripture is in Exodus 15:26. In order for you to a better picture of why Jehovah Rapha was used, I went a couple of verses back to verse 22.

Exodus 15:22-26

New International Version

The Waters of Marah and Elim

²² Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. ²³ When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.^[a]) ²⁴ So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”

²⁵ Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.

There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. ²⁶ He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”

This scripture is important for several reasons. Here is what stands out to me the most:

1. Moses had a personal and intimate relationship with the Lord. Whether it was listening to God’s voice through the burning bush, as God instructed Moses to go before Pharaoh and demand the release of God’s people, or crossing the Red Sea, Moses knew the Lord’s voice because of relationship.
2.  Moses was the one who turned to God when the people were faced with bitterness and disappointment.  While the people grumbled, Moses cried out to the Lord. His relationship with God positioned him to hear the instruction that would bring healing.
3. Why did Moses hear God’s voice? Moses heard his voice because he cried out to God. The other people where grumbling and complaining but the Bible only mentions  Moses praying and crying out to God.
4. What have you or I missed from God because we were not listening for His voice? Have I spent more time focusing on my need, or have I brought my need before the One who can provide and heal?

What did God heal in today’s scripture? In today’s scripture God gave the promise of healing to the people of Israel …IF…

1. IF you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes
2. IF you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you

As I studied Jehovah Rapha, I was reminded of Exodus 3:13 when Moses asked God, “Who shall I say sent me?” God’s answer was simple yet eternal: “I AM WHO I AM.”

At the time, Moses could not have known every challenge that lay ahead. He could not see Pharaoh, the Red Sea, the wilderness, or the bitter waters of Marah. Yet God already knew. That is why He did not give Moses a temporary answer for a temporary problem. He revealed His eternal nature.

When God’s people needed deliverance, He was there.

When they needed provision, He was there.

When they needed guidance, He was there.

When they needed healing, He was Jehovah Rapha.

The need may change, but God never does. He is still the great I AM. He is everything we need in every situation, and there will never be a moment in our lives when He ceases to be sufficient for us.

Let Us Pray

Dear Abba,

Tonight, we come before You and we thank You for being Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals.

Lord, as we reflect on the waters of Marah, we are reminded that there are moments in our own lives when what we encounter feels bitter. There are seasons where our circumstances do not look like what we hoped for, where our hearts become weary, and where we may wonder how You will bring something good from what we are experiencing.

But Father, You showed Moses that bitterness was not the end of the story.
You did not abandon Your people at the bitter waters. You met them there. You revealed Your power there. You provided a way when they could not see one.

Lord, teach us not to become so focused on the bitterness that we forget the One who stands beside us. Help us not to only rehearse our struggles, but to bring our needs before You, the One who sees, the One who knows, and the One who heals.
Just as You transformed the waters of Marah, transform the places in us that have become bitter. Heal the wounds we carry. Restore the areas where disappointment, fear, and weariness have taken root. Make our hearts tender toward You again.

Abba, help us to remember that Your healing is not only about changing our circumstances; it is also about changing us. You are able to bring peace where there was turmoil, hope where there was discouragement, and sweetness where life has left a bitter taste.

May we be like Moses, not turning first to complaining, but turning first to You. May our relationship with You become so deep that we recognize Your voice even in difficult places.

Thank You for being the God who does not just see our need, but provides for it. Thank You for being the God who does not just hear our cries, but responds with love.
You are Jehovah Rapha. The God who heals. We love you and give you all the glory and honor. In the precious name of Christ Jesus we do pray. Amen, Amen, and Amen.

Worship Video of the Day

Rev. Marcia Davis, BA, MA

Covington, GA (USA)