I’m reading through Hosea with the Hello Mornings group and they asked us to research the word “heal” found in chapter 7, verse 1. Hosea is an interesting book. I can get so wrapped up in the difficult circumstances Hosea and his kids were going through with Gomer, that I forget God is speaking to Israel about her unfaithfulness to Him. I am also asking God to speak to me so I may see how my unfaithfulness hurts Him and the wonderful plan He has for my life.

OK, back to our word – the word heal is translated from rapha´.  I’m familiar with this word. You probably are as well. God calls Himself Jehovah Rapah in Exodus 15:26 . Strong’s Definitions records this properly rendered as, “to sew together; to mend (by stitching)”. This is so compelling to me. Look at it used in 6:1, ““Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.” Theologian Martin Luther has said, “A physician is God’s cobbler and mends the body; we theologians are spiritual cobblers and mend what the devil has injured.”

What happens to a wound when it’s stitched?

It’s cleaned. Spiritually, I think of repentance. In our verse, Hosea says, “…let us return to the Lord…” Wounds will not heal when they are unclean. We would never want a medical professional to close up a wound without cleaning it first. Why then do we often cry out to God to heal our hurts, pains, and brokenness when part of the problem could be that we have sin in our lives? Friends, I have been here. I have begged for healing while hanging on for dear life to my desire for control of the situation – pride. Ugh. Hosea’s invitation is God’s , “Come…”

It’s closed. The edges of the wound are brought together and closed. We had to involve a physician in the process. We needed to invite him into our situation. Same way with Jesus Christ. Once we have repented, our next step is allowing God to close the wound. We include Him in the process. We ask for His intervention. We place the gaping hole in our hearts, our broken dreams, and our crushed spirits into the Great Physicians hands. We trust Him to make the best choice about the method.

Healing begins. The gettin’ better starts. Remember the last time you had a cut? That thing was “sore as a risen” as my mom would say. Gosh, it seemed to get worse before it got better. We began to wonder if we would ever be right again. Please never forget that healing is a process, and there are many aspects to that process. Some of the tools I have used are: prayer, Bible reading, journaling, music, and dialogue – talking it out with someone. Time is involved. It takes time. Amen?

We are scarred. When the healing is complete, our stitches are removed, and we are left with a mark. A battle badge of sorts. Thank goodness, scars fade. I’ve got a few. I have one on my arm where (as a small child) a rose bush thorn tore a nasty gash and one from an appendectomy when I was four. I also have several on my heart. I see them. I know they are there. They remind me of the battle. They also remind me that I survived. We don’t have to resent the scars. They are history. They are testimony. They are God’s sweet favor of healing.

Whether our wounds are gaping holes or shallow tears, God is able. He really is our Jehovah Rapha, our Healer.

Lord, we need your healing touch. We need the balm that only you can provide. We invite You into the process. We lay our wounds in Your capable hands. Hands who have our name written on them. Hands that hold the bottles that collect our tears. The hands that carry us when we are weak. Heal us Lord. We praise You in the process. In the mighty, healing name of Jesus, amen

Let me know if I can help you move forward. Use the form on this page to connect or drop me an email.

I often link with…Suzie Eller at #livefree Thursday, Kelly Balarie at Purposeful Faith, Holly Barrett at Testimony Tuesday , Crystal Storms at Intentional Tuesday and Susan B. Mead at #DanceWithJesus Friday