THE CHILDREN'S HEALING

Quite early in life we learn in ourselves or in others what illness is. It may even be that some young person reading these words is in need of healing. The loving care shown at such times and the remedies given are all a token of God's power to restore according to His perfect will and purpose. Through the prophets He spoke of "healing medicines" and "dressings" for cure and comfort. To a people wounded not only in their bodies but also in their souls through their sins He said with tender feeling "I will apply a bandage unto thee". In order to receive such fond attention we should need to be very near to Him! And this is just what He seeks from us even through troubles which may be our own fault.

When the Lord Jesus was on earth He healed every kind of disease, sometimes by a touch, at others by a word or even through the virtue of His own Person to one who but touched the hem of His garment. The fact too that He healed a child at a distance, and unseen, is a precious reminder to us that He knows perfectly all our need and is able to meet it. Sometimes He told persons that their faith had healed them, which meant that they had brought their troubles to Him knowing that He could help. All these ills were in some way the effects of sin in its working: they are also signs of much deeper diseases of the soul which, if not attended to, would lead to eternal loss. Do not be like the Indian prince who sought to hide signs of leprosy by wearing over his forehead a large and priceless jewel, but come in spirit to the Saviour and make known all your need to Him. A prize was once offered for the biggest fool who could be found in a certain village. After careful search they found someone who was very ill but refused to tell the doctor the truth about his condition. The judges all agreed in giving him the prize. But a worse folly would be for someone to refuse to own to his God the need of soul ‘healing’. Oh, heed the simple and clear scripture that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins" - faithful in keeping His promise and righteous because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ His Son.

Are you one of the many who through salvation have a "joyful heart" which the Proverb says "promoteth healing"?

J.C.Evershed