“I am the Lord who heals.”

God led the people into the desert. They were thirsty, exhausted. Finally they came to Mariah where there was water but the water was undrinkable. Thirsty, tired, frustrated, they did what we do. They complained. They murmured against their leader. God gave Moses a word of wisdom, he threw a tree in the water and the water was healed.

It was in this moment that God made and everlasting covenant with his people. It was when they were complaining, disrespecting their leader, without faith, that God gives them an amazing promise:

“He said, “If you will diligently obey the LORD your God, and do what is right in his sight, and pay attention to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, then all the diseases that I brought on the Egyptians I will not bring on you, for I, the LORD, am your healer.”” Exodus‬ ‭15:26‬ ‭NET‬‬

If we don’t understand our standing as New Testament Christians, we can develop some bad theology from this passage. Here are some common misunderstandings of this passage:

1. God punishes us through sickness.
2. If we pray for someone and they are not healed, they must have sin in their lives.
3. I will not be healed if I have sin in my life.

But as New Testament Christians, because of the atoning work of Christ, ALL of our sins are forgiven. Jesus was wounded for our transgressions, therefore He fulfilled the requirement of this covenant. For the New Testament Christian, that promise reads like this: “Because of Jesus’ obedience disease will not be brought upon us because The Lord, Our God, is our Healer.”

Is this promise only for Christians? The covenant is between God and His children. However because of God’s goodness all can be healed. I have seen practicing Muslims healed, Hindus healed. God is just good. Healing is his character. It’s his name. He is a serial Healer.

So believe today. Pray with confidence. He is God our healer.