Facing God Wherever You Are Series

In the Bible there are two terms used for “anoint.” One is used to refer to anointing of ceremony. When Samuel anionted Saul and David with oil to declare them King, the Greek translation of a particular word is used. In this passage it’s a different word altogether. It is the same as the word in the parable of the Good Samaritan. If you remember that story, the Samaritan took the victim, anointed him with oil and took him to an inn. It is the word used for medicinal purposes. It could have been just as easily termed “rub him with oil.” When James wrote, Elders were serving to meet the medical needs as well as the spiritual needs.

After doing what was medically needed, James says that they should pray over the sick person. This is not some otherworldly procedure where the Elders of the church function in some mystical role. It is them serving, helping and praying. Now I want you to know that your elders do pray regularly for our congregation, both corporately and for those individuals with specific needs. Every time we get together we do it and I know that it happens otherwise also. And if you want David, John, Dr. Bob, Tim and Bill to gather around your bed and give you a rub down with oil next time you are sick, you just need to get your request in. You better hurry, though, because I’m guessing that after this sermon there is going to be a waiting list.

Seriously, though, it would be great if more people called to have the elders pray with them at times of trouble and sickness. But I am afraid that reluctant to call because we have lost sight of the fact that our church is a family. In our world we have become so individualistic that we don’t involve others in our lives. And there is something wrong with a faith that does not recognize the need to have others there to help out. Sometimes we need the encouragement of others to turn our face toward God, when we are in trouble, when we are happy, and when we are sick. James says in all those times, turn toward God.

Notice what James says happens when we are obedient in this matter (read 15-18). Wow, that’s a bold statement. At first blush you can’t help but recognize that it is not always the case that a person we pray for is made well. The fact of the matter is, every person is born into this world terminal. If every person we prayed for was made better, none of our friends or family would ever die. However, I have seen God do amazing things when people have been prayed for. In our small group we always spend a considerable amount of time sharing prayer requests and lifting them up before God. A couple of weeks ago we met for the first time this Fall. Since it had been quite some time since we had shared prayer requests we revisited some. As I asked about four major health issues our group had been praying for, friends and family who were suffering with everything from depression, cancer and liver disease, each one spoke of healing that had taken place. I know that here this morning there are those who could share of God’s healing work that has taken place when medicine was out of options. What James is saying is, don’t make prayer your last resort when there are no other options. Face God in your illness and no matter what happens, He will provide healing.