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27th August 2024
TuesdayReflection
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Hope Bolinger shares
an acquisitions editor, book editor and author
The Meaning of
'Jehovah Rapha' in Scripture - God, Our Healer
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We have an infinite God who goes by many names.
These names, scattered throughout Scripture, often have a different meaning, showing us another facet of this wonderful creator, healer, and provider.
During times of sickness, we may call upon God using his name that is tied to healing, "Jehovah Rapha."
The Hebrew word rophe or rapha means "heal, "cure," "restore," or "make whole."
Shortly after his people left Egypt for the Promised Land, God revealed himself as Yahweh Rophe, "the LORD who heals."
The Hebrew Scriptures indicate that God is the source of all healing.
As you pray to Yahweh Rophe, ask him to search your heart.
Take time to let him show you what it contains.
If he uncovers any sin, ask for his forgiveness and then pray for healing.
The New Testament reveals Jesus as the Great Physician, the healer of body and soul, whose miracles point to the kingdom of God.
He said,
"If you will obey me completely by doing what I consider right and by keeping my commands, I will not punish you with any of the diseases that I brought on the Egyptians. I am the Lord, the one who heals you."
Exodus 15:26
Rapha means "to heal" "to make whole"
"to properly mend by stitching" and "to repair."
God does all of these things for us through his healing power.
The Hebrew Scriptures, in fact, link sickness and sin by presenting sin as the cause of illness just as it is the cause of death.
We do have to bear in mind that God is infinite, eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, and omnipresent.
Our finite minds cannot fathom our God.
So the different names in Scripture help us to grasp an aspect of his character.
In all the instances in Scripture, we see people in dire situations.
Jeremiah and Isaiah lost their homes and nation.
David encountered one trial after the other.
The Israelites were wandering in the desert and couldn't even locate drinkable water.
No matter what the instance, Jehovah-Rapha heals and restores them.
In our own lives, we can call upon the healing name of God in prayer.
This can help remind us about how God has stitched the wounds of his people in the past, and he will come to our aid.
Nevertheless, we do need to remind ourselves that although God heals, he may heal us in an unexpected way.
We may see a physical ailment and think that our creator should make fixing that his top priority.
However, we may have a deeper spiritual wound that can also use a salve.
A Prayer to Jehovah Rapha
Heavenly Father, Jehovah Rapha,
the Lord who heals,
We come before You with hearts full of gratitude and hope, seeking Your divine healing touch.
You are the ultimate healer, and we trust in Your power to restore our bodies, minds, and spirits.
Lord, we lift up to You those who are suffering from illness, pain, and affliction.
We ask that You pour out Your healing grace upon them,
renewing their strength and restoring their health.
Let Your presence be felt in their lives,
bringing comfort and peace amidst their struggles.
We also ask for healing in our relationships, Lord.
Where there is brokenness and discord, bring reconciliation and harmony.
Heal our hearts from the wounds of the past,
and fill us with Your love and forgiveness.
Jehovah Rapha, we place our trust in You.
We know that You are with us in every trial, and that Your love never fails.
Strengthen our faith, and help us to lean on You in all circumstances.
Thank You, Lord,
for Your unfailing love and mercy.
We praise You for Your goodness and faithfulness, and we give You all the glory.
In Jesus' name, we pray,
Amen.
Praise the Lord, O my soul,and forget not all his benefits - who. . .heals all your diseases.
Psalm 103:2-3
I am Jehovah Rapha, and in My time, in My way, I still bring healing.
My child, sometimes you hide from Me in your greatest pain, thinking I will not know - or care.
Other times you think I have abandoned you at your point of need if I do not answer immediately.
Trust Me with every symptom - physical, emotional, and spiritual.
><(((°>
This is an edited version.
The full article and Bible references are avaiable on request
Crosswalk.com
an online Christian living magazine,
is brought to you by a group to followers of Jesus Christ regardless of where they are in their respective spiritual journeys.
We believe that the Christian faith isn't just for Sunday mornings in church; our faith informs every issue we face every day of the week.
We want to provide content to people who are seeking to determine what living Christianity day-to-day means in their own lives.
Hope Bolinger is an acquisitions editor at End Game Press, book editor for hire, and the author of almost 30 books.
More than 1500 of her works have been featured in various publications.
Check out her books at hopebolinger.com for clean books in most genres, great for adults and kids.
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