It’s in His DNA

One of the first names God chose to reveal His character, to the children of Israel, was Jehovah- Rapha.  The Israelites had just crossed the Red Sea, having just witnessed the utter destruction of Pharaoh and his army.  They arrived at Marah and the water was too bitter to drink.  How did they respond?  Normal!  They murmured to Moses.  How did God Jehovah – Jireh respond?  He told Moses to cut down a tree and throw it into the water and it became sweet. 

THEN

He made a covenant, a statute, and a law with them.  If they would listen to His voice and obey Him, He would put none of the diseases, which He had put on the Egyptians, on them.  WHY?  Because He was Jehovah – Rapha,  “the Lord that healeth thee”.

A little later He tells them that he will destroy the Canaanites and tells them not to serve the idols of the Canaanites, but destroy all their idols, He would bless their bread and their water, plus take sickness away from them and that nothing or no one among them would be barren or lose their young.

The Psalmist in Psalm 91 reiterates this promise that “no evil shall befall thee, neither in plague come near their dwelling”.  Again this is a covenant that is conditional.  This promise is not for every one  It is only for “he who dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High”.  This is the same covenant that Jesus repeated, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you”. 

Why would He do this?

Because in doing this, His Father is glorified (John 15: 7-8). 

Jesus demonstrated this throughout his ministry and the apostles continued this after His Ascension.  As part of the great commission, we are commanded to continue this work.

Does this follow automatically just because we are Christians?  No?  It did not for the disciples.  It only works for them that believe.  Believe what?  That He is Jehovah – Rapha!  If you don’t know him, you will not do exploits.  You may know a little about Him: but, not know every part of His DNA.  You need to know every intimate part of God as He has revealed Himself to us!  KNOW HIS CHARACTER!  PEOPLE WHO KNOW THEIR GOD,  DO EXPLOITS

How do you and I get to Him?  Spend time with Him!  Spend time in His Word!  Satan does not want you to do this.  He wants you to think that it’s God’s will that you are sick.  Jesus wants you and me to glorify the Father.  How did Jesus glorify His Father?  By making people sick?  NO!!!.   If sickness brings glory to God, then Jesus took glory form His Father.  Sure, you can glorify your Father in sickness, but the sickness does not bring glory to God. 

The next few blogs will focus on getting to know Jehovah – Rapha.