Read James 5:13-18
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make them well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. (James 5:13-18)
All sickness is due to sin. After the disobedience of Adam and Eve (see Genesis chapter 3) sin, sickness, disease, disability and death entered the world which, in one sense, is now “under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19).
This does not mean that all sickness is due to personal sin. In some cases, this is obviously true. Jesus told the man that was healed at the pool of Bethesda: “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” (John 5:14). Unforgiveness and addiction are currently common causes of physical illness. When counselling the sick we must be prayerful before we tell them that their condition is due to personal sin.
The disciples were told that neither the blind man nor his parents sinned but: “this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” (see John 9:1-12).
God heals the sick. When healing does not take place immediately, it may be due to the unconfessed sin of the patient or the lack of faith of all concerned – patient, family and friends, local church. However God may allow the sickness to remain and still bring glory to His name. Sometimes families that have been torn apart are united, and possibly converted, when one member becomes seriously ill. Since the recurrence of Betty’s cancer, the many people who have prayed, visited or provided gifts have done so to the glory of God. Likewise our friend, who has fought and won two battles with cancer is now making countless visits to comfort cancer sufferers.
Sometimes, especially during sickness, it is difficult to believe the words of Romans 8:28 – but still they are true! “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Thank You, Lord, that in all things You work for our good.
This meditation is extracted from “Transformation from Belief to Behaviour: 39 Lenten Meditations on the Letter of James” by Peter Young and used with permission by the author. It may be used solely for personal, noncommercial, and informational purposes. Republication or redistribution of this devotional is prohibited.
The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility.
