SEARCHLIGHT
What would you do if you could have one doctor meet all your needs?
SCRIPTURE
There the Lord issued a ruling and instructions for them and put them to the test. He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord who heals you. Exodus 15:25b,26 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
Knowing someone’s name is so important. But knowing someone by name is even more important! Do you personally know any of the “Who’s Who of the World”? Maybe you know about some prominent people who have world influence but more than likely you don’t personally know them by name. Here’s the twist. You can personally know the “Who’s Who of the Universe”! God, the living Creator of all, wants you to personally know Him by name.
The “Who’s Who of the Universe” has chosen to reveal Himself by identifying His 9 compound names in Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. In order to personally know the Living God by name, ask yourself the following question in the next paragraph.
Have you ever wished you had one doctor who could take care of all your needs – physical, emotional, mental, relational, moral, and spiritual? You would not have to travel here and there to see specialists. Picture this. What would it be like if there was one physician who specialized in you? I’m thinking of a doctor who could meet all your physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual needs.
Today’s world is in great need of healing. People are suffering physically, emotionally, relationally and spiritually. Throughout the world, regardless of nationality or economic social status, there is so much brokenness, sickness, hurt, hate and affliction. Nations are broken. Families are broken. People are broken. So many long to be healed.
Are there enough doctors to meet these needs? Are there enough healthcare providers to heal the wounded, afflicted, and distraught? How thankful we can be for all who provide healthcare – doctors, nurses, pharmacists, surgeons, specialists etc. They are to be saluted for what they do! However, the World Health Organization says there are approximately 17.2 doctors per 10,000 people globally. [2024]
Here is the good news for today. God identified himself as the physician/doctor who can meet all your needs. In today’s Scripture focus we MEET THE GREATEST PHYSICIAN. God will give you the soundness you need. Jehovah Rophe is His name! He is life’s greatest physician. God made our bodies, minds, and spirit. That makes Him fully capable of being able to heal them when we meet His conditions. Let me explain.
Exodus 15 describes the Israelites rejoicing because God delivered them from the Egyptians. God parted the Red Sea so that they could cross over. Then God let the waters come flooding in upon the pursuing Egyptian army. What a day of victory. Israel, celebrated with singing and dancing. [Exodus 15:20,21] God had set them free! But three days later, they were unable to find good drinking water and so they began grumbling. [Exodus 15:22,24] Isn’t that just like human nature? We are so fickle. We quickly forget God’s goodness and greatness in a moment of distress.
God spoke to His people. He revealed a name for himself. It was Jehovah Rophe. This is a compound name. First, God identified Himself as Jehovah or Yahweh which means “I AM.” God is the God of the present time, this moment, and this very instant. His name is not “I was”. Neither is his name “I will be”. His name is “I am” meaning I am the God of today and right now. Second, God named Himself “Rophe/Ropheka.” God said His name is “I am the Lord who heals you.” This is a name of power and immeasurable greatness. “Rophe” is translated “physician” over 60 times in the Bible. God did not just promise to heal but did better than that. God said, “Healing is what I am.”
MEET THE GREATEST PHYSICIAN. God heals the broken, sick body. See Genesis 20:17, 2 Kings 20:5 and Numbers 12:10-15. God heals the brokenhearted. See Psalm147:3. God heals the broken, sinful soul. See Psalm 41:4. God heals the broken backslider. See Jeremiah 3:22. And God even promises to heal a broken nation. See 2 Chronicles 7:14.
God is clearly identifying who He is and what He does. Of course He uses doctors, medical personal and medicines but claims the name “Healer.” God practices whole medicine. Jehovah Rophe heals physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. See Psalm 103:3. What a mighty God. He wants to make you sound. Have you asked God for healing, recovery and restoration?
Whatever plagues man, whether it is visible, invisible, external, internal, physical or spiritual, God says, “I am the Lord Who heals.” God can be your Healer, Recoverer and Restorer. This is why He is named the Greatest Physician.
God’s promise came with a requirement. The promise of healing required people meet conditions. The Israelites had to carefully listen to God’s commands and then proceed to obey them. If they did, He promised to live up to His name. He would heal them. And the great news today is that you too can personally know the God who heals.
MEET THE GREATEST PHYSICIAN. Jehovah Rophe is His name. He promises health and healing when you declare He is “The Lord That Heals.” Think about this for a moment. In a time when doctors cannot be reached on weekends and do not do house calls, God publicizes His credentials, office hours, bedside manner, and care as declaring, “My name is the Lord who heals.” He can be reached anytime and anywhere. And don’t forget that God knows you personally like no one else. Most importantly, God can heal your heart. Will you obey Him?
SOMETHING TO DO
Be enriched by looking up the Bible verses mentioned in this devotional. They substantiate who God is and what He does with regard to healing all your needs. Then prayerfully thank Him!
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Almighty God, I am so privileged to have You as my Greatest Physician. There is no one who cares for me like You! Thank you for revealing to me that Your nature is to heal. And most of all, thank you for the many times You have healed me physically, emotionally, relationally and more than anything else spiritually. You have made me sound and whole. AMEN