30th November 2024

30th November 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (James 5v14-15)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


In my last devotion I outlined what I believed to be a Christ honouring response to James 5v14. I gave you the “nuts and bolts” of the process as I see it. But what comes after the Elders, the oil and the prayer? Is the sick person immediately and comprehensively healed of what troubles them?


Some say “yes” and they take James 5v15 to support their claim. James said “the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” (v15). It appears so simple…the Elders pray, anoint with oil and this “prayer of faith” sets the sick person back on solid ground. Yet, as we know all too well, not only do Christians get sick but prayers for their earthly healing seem to go unanswered and our brothers and sisters die.


What is the answer to Christians who don’t see healing on this side of glory? Was the problem that they didn’t call for the Elders? Were the Elders the problem? Didn’t the sick person have enough faith? Some well meaning Christians think that you need to firmly claim the promises of Christ. They argue that there is physical healing to be found at the cross and you simply need to grasp it for yourself. If we follow this logic then the Christian should never struggle, never grow weak and never suffer. I do not believe this to be true.


James has already told us in this letter that suffering often accompanies faith. Indeed, the Lord told us that in this world we will have trouble (John 16v33). Brothers and sisters, your health, wealth and prosperity are not dependent on the strength of your faith. Lazarus was sick and died causing Jesus to weep (John 11v35). Epaphroditus was sick and it appears Paul did not heal him (Philippians 2v25-26). Indeed, Paul had a thorn which was not lifted from him despite his pleading (2 Corinthians 12v7-10).


The so called “prayer of faith” is not an iron clad guarantee that the Elders will come and we will be physically restored. Instead, it is a prayer that looks to the Lord and trusts Him in illness and health and in life and in death. It is a prayer that cries out “Lord God if it is your will then restore me to health. But Lord if I must endure this burden, even if it leads me unto to death - restore me from the fear of death, strengthen me for the journey, equip me for the pain. Oh Lord God have mercy on me no matter what!”


As we pray with faith trusting in God’s good plan and providence we should be certain that the Lord is not deaf to our cries. We should never pray without expectancy nor should we see prayer as a meaningless task. The Lord delights to hear us pray and I am convinced that He answers even if we think He stands silent.


James says that the prayer of faith “will save” the one who is sick (v15a), the person will be raised (v15b) and if they have committed sins they will be forgiven (v15c). To pray for physical healing is one thing and by the grace of God we will see the Lord move in this regard but spiritual healing is humanity’s primary need. I am heartened when I consider that the Lord’s ministry to us is not limited to the physical but also the spiritual. He may heal us physically but He certainly will heal us spiritually. He may cause us to rise from our sick bed but He certainly will cause us to rise at the last day. He may exchange our illness for health but He certainly will exchange our sin for the righteousness of Christ.


Brothers and sisters, in the midst of life we are in death. How should we respond? Pray. The Lord is able to do abundantly more than you could ever ask or imagine and if He doesn’t remove illness from you in this life, be assured that one day He will wipe away every tear from your eyes.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q49 Which is the second commandment? The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me: and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.