The Great Physician

Background Scripture: Jeremiah 8; Psalm 103
Lesson Scripture: Jeremiah 8:14-15, 18-22; Psalm 103:1-6

Introduction

We are depraved people in need of healing that only Jesus can give. We daily face the curse of sin in our physical, mental, and spiritual being. Though the curse affects us in many ways, Jesus has the answer for everything and anything that hurts. He is the Great Physician; He beckons us to come, extending his healing hands of love and mercy. Let the soul that is discouraged, hurting, hopeless, or sin-sick come to the Healer of all. He is attentive to our needs, but we must believe to be healed.

Key Verse

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet describes the true state of the Hebrew nation. They were in a depraved state, for they had fallen into idolatry and were unprepared to meet God. Having their salvation and welfare in mind, Jeremiah pleads with God’s people to repent.

The prophet cries from deep within his soul, “Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?” (Jer. 8:22). The region of Gilead was known for its spices and aromatic gums. The balm being spoken of here is probably the oil or resin from a certain evergreen which grew to be about fourteen feet tall. The resin was drawn in small amounts through an orifice in the bark. Because of its supposed medicinal qualities, it was highly esteemed for healing.

Jeremiah longs for a soothing tonic, the reviving touch of the Lord God of Israel, to be applied to their pallid spiritual condition. But for the health of God’s people to be recovered, the people must turn to Him in faith.

It is thought that Psalm 103 was written when David was an aged man, seasoned by the experiences of his life. How he had come to know God through the circumstances of life is clearly depicted here as he extolled the name of the Lord for the manifold blessings and benefits that had been poured upon him from Heaven’s storehouse. David’s obedience and his experiences of renewal had built his faith, causing him to be thankful to the Lord.

To convey what it means to be completely healed is often beyond expression. When Jesus healed the lame man, he leaped with newfound strength. The blind man rejoiced to have his sight restored, and Mary Magdalene, the forgiven sinner, worshipped Jesus as her precious Master. Receiving adequate strength and sufficient provision from Heaven are the blessings of coming under the care of our Creator.

The Lord always watches over his creation. He touches the sick, gives grace to the weary, and, above all, He heals the soul. God has a working plan to save mankind, something solid upon which to place our faith. “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name” (Ps. 103:1).

Practical Truths for Today

We live in an age when many counselors are available for our emotional hurts and psychological needs. Medical doctors diagnose many physical diseases and prescribe medications to treat them. Spiritual counseling is often found with dedicated spiritual pastors. Where do we go, and to whom do we turn when we need healing? We should be careful when seeking help—whether it is physical, emotional, or spiritual—to keep everything in its proper place. Jesus is the Great Physician, and Isaiah speaks of Him, saying, “His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). The prophet also writes, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows” (Isa. 53:4). When reaching out to seek help and healing, we want God’s blessing as well as the blessing of our fellow believers.

Jesus is a Counselor who understands human suffering, having suffered Himself. He is a Counselor in truth and will safely guide us through our experiences in the complexities of life. When we seek the counsel of God, He reveals his will by giving us a sense of direction as to what we should do in the situation we are facing. When we seek healing from God, we must come to a place of unconditional surrender. In the laying down of our will, we find Heaven’s answer. At times this includes a humble willingness to seek counsel from our brethren. We need to remember and believe that God’s plan to help us through Christ Jesus is not complicated.

God is sovereign and does nothing without purpose; the things that happen to us are with his permission. The wise man in Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 says, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die.” To find the healing we desire, we must believe in the goodness and providence of God.

God does not delight in the trials we encounter but uses them to draw us closer to Him. “But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men” (Lam. 3:32-33). When we face sickness and pain, when things go wrong, when the way is dreary and life is hard—in all these things, may our faith in God remain secure. It will be as the song says: “For the blessed Rock, Christ Jesus, never trembled under me.” 1

In the disappointments and difficulties of our earthly journey, it is helpful to realize that we are not here to stay. Many times we draw courage by looking forward to that perfect place of eternal rest where all will be set right, made new, and healed forever. Nevertheless, because we are in this flesh, at times we cry out like the father of the child with the dumb spirit—“Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24)—and God honors that cry.

As we grow in grace, exercising our faith in God, He graciously causes our faith to grow as it is watered with our obedience to his promptings. We quietly fill our place in our families, showing it to be true that God is love by our example of faith and trust in Him. We freely share with the young and the old, with the battle-worn soldier on the front lines, and with the youth who stands at a fork in life’s road. God inspires us to give a fitting response to the soul that is crying out, whether he be neighbor, friend, or a passing traveler on the road to eternity. We can all recall when a friend or brother has given us a word of encouragement in the hour of trial.

Let us sincerely seek the heavenly Physician and his remedy. He has the answer to all of life’s problems, and He will not turn us away. He has the keenest desire to supply our needs, often visiting us, even at unexpected times. Sometimes He will choose to heal us physically; always He will heal us spiritually if we allow Him. Jesus is ever present; He loves us, and He holds us in the palm of his hand. This is the only safe place to be, and in this state, no matter our physical condition, we are whole and complete in Him. Eventually our healing will be to leave this life for our eternal home where all sickness is gone.

Illustration

An outstanding account in the Bible of physical healing is that of Naaman, captain in the Syrian army. Stricken with leprosy, the valiant captain needed a physician. The little Jewish maid who served Naaman’s wife remembered her homeland and the faith that had been taught her as a young child. Upon her testimony, soon a band of horsemen were traveling the road to Israel in pursuit of healing for Naaman. They first made their appearance with the King of Israel, which proved to be unsuccessful. Prophet Elisha heard and sent word for Naaman to come to him. When the captain reached the house of the prophet, Elisha simply sent his servant to the door with the instructions, “Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean” (2 Kings 5:10).

At first Naaman was upset and turned away in a rage. He was a proud army captain and felt it an indignity to wash in a dirty river. However, his servants came near and reasoned with him. He became willing, dipping down in the water, “and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean” (2 Kings 5:14).

The malady of sin can be likened to leprosy. God in his love convicts us of sin and brings us to the realization of our need of healing. He points us to Jesus as the solution to our need, after which an inward battle often ensues, but when we become willing to take the way of humility, light dawns, and we plunge into the cleansing stream. The blood of Christ works in us a healing like no other, making us whole. With a renewed mind and a saved soul, we are ready to live for God.

Questions

1. Amid adversity, what is the way to successfully grasp that God has our best in mind?
2. Does the ready access to superior health care take away our dependence on God?
3. Is it only acceptable to cry out to God in times of difficulty?
4. What is the meaning of James 5:16? How is there healing in confessing our sins one to another and in praying for others?
5. 1 Elwood Johnson (1932-1999), “Rock of Ages, Keep My Soul,” Gospel Hymns for Worship
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).