In Spite Of Our Perception

September 27

The concept of physical healing being available today by the power of the Holy Spirit at work through the prayers of the faithful is a stumbling block to the faith of many people. Some, in fact, dismiss the idea as religious hog wash. They refuse to even consider the possibility that Jesus might respond by healing someone who is sick, because of prayer.

Even Pentecostal people, the people whose denomination maintains healing as one of its tenets of faith, don’t often see prayer employed effectively when someone is wrestling with a major disease. More often than not, the surgery must be done, the medications must be applied, and the rehabilitation must be performed.

But, that’s not what the Bible says is supposed to happen! When we pray, we are told by the brother of Jesus in James 5:15-16, “The prayer of faith will heal the sick; the Lord will raise him up and if he has sinned, his sins will be forgiven…therefore, confess your sins one to another and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

So, what shall we believe? Shall we believe what we can perceive with our senses—what we can see, and feel, and hear, and taste, and smell? If our physical senses sometimes deceive us in the natural realm, is it not possible that they can turn us from spiritual truth? Let us be among those who prefer to stand on the Word of God in spite of our perception, for our perception is subject to change. His Word will never change.