We call God the Great Physician, and so He is, but that language can influence our perception that it is only our body that He heals. Strong’s Concordance shows that rapha means to cure or heal, but also repair, make whole or even mend, as in stitching. Others have included purify and make fresh.
Healing makes something right again – and it can apply to our bodies, our relationships, and our hearts. God cares about every aspect of our life.
Because of sin, our souls have been ripped. We are broken and tarnished with no ability to repair ourselves. We limp along in this world, experiencing fear, pain, and doubt, which makes it difficult to look outside of our own needs to fully embrace God’s call.
King David, shattered by his own actions, knew where to turn.
As for me, I said, “O Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against You!” Psalm 41:4
Our souls also become battered through the sin of others. We are broken-hearted from hurtful words, abuse, and neglect. We, in turn, damage others - and so it continues.
But there is a Healer, Jehovah-Rapha. And He is near.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3
Jehovah-Rapha heals the broken-hearted. He mends our soul. He repairs, restores, and cleanses us. We are made right again.
He is the Healer who has experienced our pain. His body has been torn; His heart has been ripped – for us, for me.
… and with His wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
We can now find comfort in the midst of pain, hope in chaos. Our heart no longer needs to be hindered by our brokenness because it is filled with the Spirit and we are able to bring healing and love to others. Jehovah-Rapha has made us whole.
