They Shall Lay Hands on the Sick, And They Shall Recover!

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.  -- Mark 16:17,18

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In Mark 16:18, Jesus said that believers would lay hands on the sick, and the sick would recover. What category of sick people was Jesus talking about? What did He mean when He said they would recover? Are there examples of this in Jesus' own ministry that we can read and learn from? Let's look deeply into this verse today to see how it applies to you and me! First, let's look at the word "sick," because this describes the category of sick people Jesus was talking about. This is the Greek word arroustos, which comes from the word arunnumi. The word runnumi normally means to be well, to be strong, to be in good health, or to possess a strong physical condition. When an ais placed in front of this word, it reverses the condition and instead means to be in bad health or to possess a weak and broken condition. It is the image of a person so weak and sick that he has become critically ill. He is an invalid.

God's Medicine

"The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63)

We've seen some tremendous medical breakthroughs in our generation. We've seen "miracle drugs" developed that can conquer many kinds of sickness and disease.

But, you know, in the 20-plus years I've been a believer, I've discovered another, much more effective kind of medicine: the Word of God. There's never been a miracle drug that could equal it. God's medicine is the answer to every need. It is life. It is health. It is the power of God. And if you put it in your heart and act on it, you will be healed.

Sometimes people ask, "If God's medicine works every time, why are there so many believers who are still sick?" There are two reasons. Number one, because they don't take the time to plant the Word concerning healing deeply into their heart. And number two, because they don't do what that Word tells them to do.

How To Get Off The Spiritual Roller Coaster

As a wealthy oil tycoon lay on his deathbed, his pastor talked of God’s healing power. “Pastor,” he gasped, “if God heals me, I’ll give the church a million dollars.” The pastor gave a wry grin and said, “Yes, sir, I’m sure you would!”

	Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. — 1 Corinthians 15:58

Miraculously, the man was healed and within a few short weeks was out of the hospital. One day several months later, he and the pastor were chatting on the sidewalk in front of the church. “You know,” the pastor laughed, “when you were in the hospital dying, you promised to give the church a million dollars if you got well. We haven’t got it yet.”

“Did I say that?” the tycoon asked. “I guess that goes to show how sick I really was!”

It’s interesting how in times of desperation, people tend to become more spiritual, promising God this and that. Yet when those times of desperation pass, they’re left with unkept promises and a waning spiritual life.

Miracle Healing Inspires Dove-Winning Song

CHARISMA NEWS STAFF

Krissy Nordhoff and Michael Neale (right), writers of "Your Great Name," along with TwoNords Music president Eric Nordhoff (left), are pictured following their Dove Award win for Worship Song of the Year.

“Your Great Name,” a song that praises the healing power of God, nabbed Worship Song of the Year at the 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards.

“I am completely blown away by the way God has taken this song and breathed His life and favor over it to encourage other believers and glorify the great name of Jesus—our Healer, Redeemer and King,” says Krissy Nordhoff, who wrote the song with Michael Neale. “I am humbled to be a part of it.”

“Your Great Name” was inspired by Nordhoff’s testimony of God’s faithfulness in her own life. Nine years ago the singer/songwriter, wife and mother was diagnosed with advanced-stage Lyme disease resulting from a tick bite. After 18 months of treatment and little progress, Nordhoff attended a healing service at her sister’s church, Resurrection Life, near Grand Rapids, Mich.

“I literally felt the Lord touch my physical being,” Nordhoff explains. “And I know that it was only a taste of His power. From that point forward, over the course of about two months, the Lord healed me completely!”

God Wants You Well

"If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee." (Exodus 15:26)

Has the devil ever tried to put you under condemnation by telling you that it's contrary to the principles of faith to use doctors and medicine when you need healing? If so, here are some encouraging words that I believe will help you put your heart at rest.

It is God's will to heal you. That's the first and most important thing for you to understand. If your faith is strong and you can believe the Word without wavering (regardless of what circumstances or symptoms come against you), then you'll be able to receive that healing by faith alone.

But that kind of faith takes more than just hearing a few sermons about healing. It takes a deep personal revelation of God's healing power. So, if you haven't yet developed that kind of faith, the doctor is your best friend.

If you're not certain whether your faith is strong enough or whether you need a doctor's help, follow the instructions of the Apostle Paul (Col. 3:15) and let peace be your umpire.

If fear rises up within you when you think about doing without medical help, then go to a doctor. And go in faith! On the other hand, if you have a sure confidence within you that healing is yours strictly by faith, let your faith do its work and receive your healing directly. Whether or not you go to the doctor is not the issue. It is what you do with your faith.

Either way, you can rejoice knowing God is working with you, meeting you at the level of your faith. 

Thank God for your healing--however it comes!--and do not let Satan put you under condemnation. It is none of his business!

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 7:8-15