[God] hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. —Ephesians 2:6-7

The graces of the Lord Jesus Christ are still flowing down to us in this present age. What a blessing to be personal recipients of love and kindness from the Saviour. The topic this quarter is divine healing. This subject, in its practical application, has proven controversial for many throughout history. This periodical is designed to promote biblical teaching, irrespective of generational teachings and understandings. Even in the Church of God, there has been an ebb and flow of different applications and standards from minister to minister and from generation to generation. This is why it is imperative for us to preach the Word and recognize the Spirit will give it life and lead us in the way God would have us to live.

There is a grace of physical healing that still flows from the throne of God. I have personally found a life of faith to be rewarding and comforting in the storms of life. The saints of today could tell story after story of God’s miraculous intervention in the natural course of sickness and disease. Without medical intervention, God divinely raised me from my death bed. He has healed me of various diseases and sicknesses. The medical world said I might end up a paraplegic, but after years of suffering and hardship, the Lord worked a miracle in my body. I have personally been under the power of the Spirit when devils were cast out and people healed. God has worked physical miracles for my children of which I have not space to write. Divine healing is not just something of days gone by—it is real, and it works today.

The key is finding a place of trust in God that no matter what happens, our faith is fixed. I have seen and experienced times of suffering when it appeared that God was not answering. In those times I have witnessed God work in ways that went beyond the physical. Can we not then trust His wisdom as much as His healing power?

We live in a generation that does not want to suffer nor do they want to wait. To serve God acceptably in faith, we must find that place of peace in our submission to God’s will and purpose. The Spirit of God will be faithful to lead each one individually within the parameters of truth. It takes a depth of spiritual maturity to truly accept that the Holy Spirit can and will work on an individual basis, and there may be some minor differences from situation to situation.

There are saints through the generations that have used doctors and medical knowledge for health purposes. There are issues of health that must be left to individuals in their personal walk with God. Faith and trust in the Lord are not always to the exclusion of medical intervention. However, trusting in the Lord is a requirement of the Word of God whether it be in spiritual things, or in issues of finance and health. There is not a biblical law preventing medical intervention, but there is an encompassing standard of faith. God wants to be the center of all decisions and practices in life. Our trust is in Him.

I cannot write all of the “dos and don’ts” when it comes to some of these issues, for somewhere in the list I would fall into the quagmire of inconsistency, man’s opinions, or a double standard as many have unfortunately so done in the past. The reality is that we have the privilege of trusting in the Lord.

I recommend placing your trust in the Lord and seeking His divine will in every aspect of life. We could not ask for a better saviour, friend, provider, or doctor. Truly, He is worthy of our trust.

Michael W. Smith
April 2018

Editor’s Note: There have been a few revisions made to Issue 24 to provide greater clarity on this subject. July 2023