The Cure

Matthew 19:26 – Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (NIV)

My mare, Mama had a crippled front leg when I bought her. How it happened, I don't know. For many years, she wore a leg brace, which was helpful in keeping her comfortable and mobile. One morning, however, we looked out to the corral and saw that she was limping badly. The limp quickly grew worse, and then came the morning when she was on three legs.

The time had come. A horse can't get around on three legs. We had the grave dug. I notified the vet to let her know, and asked if there was anything else that we could possibly do to avoid the inevitable.

An e-mail response arrived back, outlining the possibility of some hope. I was to stop by the clinic and pick up a prescription for a drug which would either work or not work in her situation. Mama was to receive five injections over a four-to-five-month period.

The first injection was administered. Mama began to improve slowly. A month later, the second injection was shot home, and then, the incredible happened. Within days, Mama was running and rolling and chasing about the corral. The whole family was stunned. How could this be? In the seven years that we had had her, never had we seen the likes of what was happening in front of us: amazing — totally amazing!

This transformation brought to my mind how Peter, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, commanded a man crippled from birth to walk:

Acts 3:7-8 – Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. (NIV)

How amazing, totally amazing! Both cures came from God. In each case, God worked through man to bring about the cure. In Mama's case, it was God-given medical wisdom that brought about the discovery of a helpful drug. In the beggar's case, it was the Holy Spirit's healing power coursing through a disciple of Jesus.

Both of these cases seemed hopeless, and yet they were not. God brought about a cure in His own way and in His own time.

Sometimes, I feel hopeless, too, about things which need healing in my life, things which I have no control over. Perhaps you go through similar periods. Yet with God, the Scriptures tell us that all things are possible and that God is not a liar. Therefore, we are never without hope. We may not know how God will change our situation or when or where or why. But as we continue to place our faith in Him, even amidst our hopelessness, we can definitely trust and know that only good things will be the ultimate outcome — a healing power within itself.

Jeremiah 29:11 – "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV)

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your healing power. Bless each of us today in whatever way we need it the most. And though we believe, Lord, help us in our unbelief, that our faith might be increased and refreshed, blessing us with the light and joy of hope renewed. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.