August 22, 2011 (Excerpt from the Women's Ministry Leader's Training Camp Series)

The Doctor is in!

This past year I ended up at the doctor's office a lot. It's not my favorite place to be, but sometimes it is a necessary part of life. One thing I love about the Lord is the fact that He is our Great Physician. There are so many qualities about that aspect of the Lord that makes me feel so well cared for in my life.

1.  The Great Physician Listens

Have you ever talked to a doctor and felt like they weren't listening to you? That's one thing about the Lord. He always listens to us. Not only that, but He already knows our thoughts. There's something comforting about that fact to me. We don't have to worry about Him breaking the Doctor-patient privilege either.

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 1 John 5:14,15 (KJV)

2.  The Great Physician Makes House Calls

Don't you love that? No appointments necessary. The Doctor will see you now. We can call on Him whenever we want. No waiting in that boring waiting room glancing through three-year-old magazines.

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Ephesians 2:18 (KJV)

3.  The Great Physician Is Knowledgeable

I think we all want a doctor that's knowledgeable. Someone that really knows the field of medicine in which they specialize. Someone that continues to study and keeps up with all the medical advances. Think about how well Christ knows the human body. God created us. Not only that, but He knows our particular body, thoughts, and needs. No need to worry that God will ever get His patient files mixed up ever. He knows us intimately and doesn't have to look at our chart to remember our names either.

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:13-16 (KJV)

4.  The Great Physician has Good Bedside Manners

Bedside manners are important because when we are sick we want to feel at ease. We want a doctor to take care of us that genuinely cares for us and we want a good relationship with our doctor. Look how much the Lord cares for us and loves us. Not only that, but He wants and desires a relationship with us.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (KJV)

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)

5.  The Great Physician Heals More than the Body

The Lord can do so much more than heal the physical body. He can take broken hearts and mend them. He can heal those who are hurting and so much more.

Remember the man Christ healed that was possessed of an unclean spirit and Christ sent the devils into the pigs? (Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39) Christ healed that man on a deeper level than just the physical. This man had been tormented for so long. Things were so bad that he couldn't be restrained even with chains. He went around the mountainside and around the tombs, screaming and even cutting himself with sharp rocks. What an existence he must have had until he met Jesus. I love that part it mentions in Mark, after Christ had healed the man and the word spread about it. The people came running to see.

And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. Mark 5:15 (KJV)

6.  The Great Physician Has the Right Prescription

Our prescription has been filled for our Christian life so that we stay vibrant and healthy. The bottle is labeled "Holy Bible". We just have to take it every day. No clinical trials needed. It's safe and effective. I've never seen anybody whose reading of the Word on a daily basis has hindered their spiritual growth. Have you? No. It improves us and makes us healthy in the Lord.

Everything inside the Bible is there for us to learn and glean from to make us stronger. I think devotional books, guides, and things like that are helpful, but if you just read that and not the Bible every day, you'll miss the active ingredient in the prescription. I know some of those type books have Bible verses in them and that's helpful but are you really reading and meditating on them or are you just glancing at them? Also, if you don't read through whole chapters from time to time, not only may you miss the content, but you may miss out on something God has waiting just for you to strengthen you and make you healthy.

I write devotionals myself, and I know they can encourage and strengthen people's walk with the Lord, but I wouldn't want anyone to live just on the devotionals I write. Christians need more. We need to listen to the teaching and preaching in our local churches and also read and study the Bible on our own.

Conclusion

When I think about all the healing in the New Testament that Christ did, something that stands out for me the most is the compassion that Jesus had as He interacted with the people. He cared for their needs.

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. Matthew 14:14 (KJV)

Those instances in the Bible where Christ healed people always reminds me what a great and powerful God that I have. He healed lame, blind, and even leprosy. I'm so glad I have that same Great Physician as my own. It's exciting that I can speak to Him whenever I want about how I'm feeling and what's going on in my life, whether it's a physical need or something else.

So, how's your relationship with The Doctor?

Copyright ©2011 Julia Bettencourt

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