Should We Always Expect God to Heal?

So many Christians wonder about whether or not God still heals miraculously today, as we see Him do in the both the Old and New Testaments. Depending on who you ask, you’ll get some interesting answers.

My answer is somewhat simple, but then again, maybe not so. Here’s how I answer the question:

We should expect God to do what will bring God the most glory. 

To help unpack that, here are three things to keep in mind when wondering if God will heal someone of an ailment or infirmity:

1. Recognize the difference between ability and obligation.

God is capable of doing absolutely anything. He created the universe and everything in it from nothing (Gen. 1:1-2:3). He holds all things together with only a word (Heb. 1:3; Col.1:17). He is able to do more than we could ever think or ask (Eph. 3:20).

No one could look at how the BIble speaks of God and suggests anything is beyond His ability.

But we must remember that just because God can do something, it does’t mean He is obligated to do so. God does whatever pleases Him (Psa. 135:6), and only what pleases Him. Who He heals, how He heals and when He heals, that’s His business, not ours. We must, therefore, be careful that we do not presume upon Him and put Him to the test (Deut. 6:16; Matt. 4:7; Matt 22.18″ data-version=”esv”>22:18; 1 Cor. 10:9).

2. A lack of healing doesn’t mean a lack of faith.

One of the most dangerous beliefs a professing Christian can hold is in their connection between faith and healing.

I remember many impassioned conversations with a man who grew up in a Pentecostal church over this issue. He was convinced that God not only can, but God must heal His people from illness  —and if He doesn’t, clearly it’s a lack of faith on the part of the one suffering.