Jehova-Rapha Our Healer

Jehova Rapha = the LORD that healeth

This title is used more than 60 times in the Old Testament

It literally means to RESTORE, to HEAL, or to CURE; refering to the physical, the emotional, the spiritual, and in some instances, even the moral.

Ex. 15:26

26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. (KJV)

26 y dijo: Si oyeres atentamente la voz de Jehová tu Dios, e hicieres lo recto delante de sus ojos, y dieres oído a sus mandamientos, y guardares todos sus estatutos, ninguna enfermedad de las que envié a los egipcios te enviaré a ti; porque yo soy Jehová tu Sanador. (RVG04)

Ps. 6:2,3

2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. (KJV)

2 Ten misericordia de mí, oh Jehová, porque yo estoy debilitado; sáname, oh Jehová, porque mis huesos están conmovidos. (RVG04)

3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? (KJV)

3 Mi alma asimismo está muy turbada: y tú, Jehová, ¿hasta cuándo? (RVG04)

Emotional---I am weak

Physical---my bones are vexed

Spiritual---my soul is in anguish

I. Give Honest Recognition to Your Hurts

-You may try denial, but the pains will continue and not go away

-You may try to busy yourself more, but you will run out of energy and still hurt.

-You may try pills and antedotes that only cover up the hurt temporarily.

ADMIT and CONFESS

If you will not be honest with yourself, then you will only become more ill.

Pointing the finger at others who are weak or failing will not make you any stronger.

Come to the point where you can say---"It's me, it's me, it's me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer"

II. Get the Right Treatment for the Source of Infirmity

You wouldn't go to the candy store to get your vehicle repaired. You wouldn't make a dentist appointment to get a hearing aid.

So don't ask the church to pray for your headache, when your real dilemna is that your marriage is on the rocks.

Why do people try to camaflouge their real problem.

III. Getting to the Root of the Problem

On the surface it may look physical.

It may be bitterness

Heb. 12:15

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; {fail...; or, fall from} (KJV)

15 Mirad bien que ninguno caiga de la gracia de Dios; no sea que brotando alguna raíz de amargura, os perturbe, y por ella muchos sean contaminados; (RVG04)

You will feel all out of sorts until you can forgive and go on. You may have to forgive yourself first.

Jesus paid the price for that as well. He also gave us a great example of not holding a grudge. You may not be able to change the person who you feel has wronged you or hurt you, but you can change your own attitude about the situation.

IL.: A MILLIONAIRE DESPISED HIS NEIGHBORS AND DECIDED TO SELL OUT AND MOVE. HE OFFERED HIS PROPERTY TO EACH NEIGHBOR FOR A CERTAIN SUM OF MONEY. BOTH OF THEM WANTED TO BUY IT, BUT AT A REDUCED PRICE. SO HE DECIDED TO BUILD A SMALL ORDINARY HOUSE ON THE PROPERTY TO SPITE THEM. HE COULD NOT STAND THE HOUSE, BUT HE CONTINUED LIVING THERE, THINKING THAT IT WAS HURTING THE PRIDE OF HIS NEIGHBORS MORE THAN IT WAS AFFECTING HIM.

It may be fear.

Luke 21:26

26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (KJV)

26 desfalleciendo los hombres a causa del temor y expectación de las cosas que vendrán sobre la redondez de la tierra; porque las potencias de los cielos serán conmovidas. (RVG04)

It may be the guilt of that secret (hidden) sin.

Ps. 90:8

8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. (KJV)

8 Pusiste nuestras maldades delante de ti, nuestros pecados secretos a la luz de tu rostro. (RVG04)

It will weigh on you and wear you away, trying to live that hypocritical life.

James 5:14-16

14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: (KJV)