Praise the Lord, O my soul ... who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:2-3

We have a Lord who is our great Healer. What a priceless blessing we enjoy if we have been granted a sound body and good health. Most often we fail to appreciate that gift until we lose it.

If we should lose it, what shall we say? Can we still enthusiastically bless the Lord? In seemingly endless pain and suffering, can we still bless Him who has promised to heal our diseases?

While our Lord walked this earth, He spent much of His ministry in healing bodily diseases. He has the same power to heal any and all of our illnesses today. But He may refrain from lifting such crosses when, in love, He has a purpose for allowing us to continue to suffer. His answer to our prayers may be a gentle and loving, "No, not yet."

But above all and without exception, He can and He will heal that which is in the greatest need -- our souls. He won our forgiveness at the cost of His own blood. When He forgives our iniquities, then we are truly whole. When our souls are healed, we can bear disease and pain, disability and weakness in whatever measure He allows. For in Him we have a vision of eternity. Through the life He gives us we can see the glory of life eternal and be forever healed.

PRAYER: Jesus, our Lord, may Your glorious promise of life eternal fill even our pain and weakness with Your glory. Amen.

(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996 (out of print), Concordia Publishing House. For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800-325-3040.)

Today's Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 35    Habakkuk 1-3    Acts 25

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