I was diagnosed last year with osteoarthritis in my hips. I wrote about it in “My Two-Year Situation” in my section on “Healthy Living.” I want to preface what I say here by stating emphatically that Jesus heals; he heals just as assuredly as he saves as noted in the gospels. 1 Peter 2:24 states that Jesus, “. . . personally bore our sins in His (own) body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. (And) By His wounds you (and I) have been healed.” Jesus has already sacrificially paid the price for our sins and our sicknesses.
I awakened last Sunday feeling aches in pains in my hips. Well, I decided to get up and get myself to church and “how glad I am that I did!” After regular praise and worship, the whole church broke out in worship after our Apostle said that we needed to just worship the Lord. So, that is what I did in the midst of my pain.
You see, while we are in this world, we may face sickness; we will face trials and tribulations, but we can be overcomers just as Jesus demonstrated while he was on the earth and when he died for us on the cross! Jesus said to his disciples in John 16:33, as he shared of his impending death and the tribulations that they would endure, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jesus wanted the disciples to “be of good cheer.” He knew that his death and resurrection would deliver his people from the powers of darkness and Satan’s devices. He wanted them to “be of good cheer” even though the enemy continues to rage, Jesus has already won the war. That is what he wants us to know today.
After the awesome worship, Apostle’s sermon led me to some inspirational take-away points.
- In every situation, we must endure and not draw back. (Hebrews 10:36) In trials, set aside weights and sin; pray in the spirit; rejoice; don’t rehash situations; pray without ceasing; trust God and of course, “be of good cheer.”
- Our Apostle recounted a story about one of her mentors, an African American woman who had cancer. The late stage cancer had caused her skin to jaundice. The Lord spoke to the lady and asked her what she do if she were already healed. She answered. “Rejoice.” God said, “Then rejoice now!” In other words, rejoice— “be of good cheer” in the midst of sickness! “Be of good cheer” in the midst of trials.
So, you and I can “be of good cheer.” We can rejoice, my friends, in the midst of sicknesses and trials. Jesus has already overcome all of the trials, tribulations and forces of darkness that we may face.
Be blessed.
Spiritual References:
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be o God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Mark 9:23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’?” All things are possible for one who believes.”
1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
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