The Best Laid Plans....

Even if you are not a poetry buff, or even if you are not a fan of the Scottish poet Robert Burns, or even if you are not of Scottish descent and fascinated by all things Scottish, you are probably familiar with at least one line written by Robert Burns....."the best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry." And so it has been with me for the past several days!  More than once I have planned to sit at the computer and post the next installment of our study of the names of God.  Obviously that never happened!  I've been spending time with one of my grandsons this week.  If you have spent time with a four year old lately, you understand what I mean!  Flexibility is the name of the game when it comes to making a plan! 

We have been looking at some of the "compound" names of God.  Most recently we examined the name Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord provides.  Today we move to another compound name.....Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord who heals.  Do you have any area in which you need healing today?  In what ways does the Lord heal?  Does this refer only to physical healing?  Or to healing from sin?  Or to emotional healing?  Or mental healing?  As we begin to think about all these areas, let me share with you a thought I came across on Facebook yesterday, posted by Proverbs 31 Ministries....."It may not be easy, and it will probably take time. But emotional healing is possible. After all, the One who conquered death, can certainly mend our brokenness."  Keep that thought in the back of your mind as we begin.

Today I'm going to give you a list of Scriptures to begin examining.  As you read these Scriptures, look for answers to this question....what does this passage teach me about Jehovah-Rapha?  Ask the 5Ws/H to see what the passage says about the Lord who heals......who does He heal?  How does He heal?  Why does He heal?  Etc. Etc.  We'll start putting it all together and drawing conclusions and making application as we return to the topic next week.

• Exodus 15:22-27
• Deuteronomy 32:39
• Isaiah 45:6-7
• 2 Kings 20:1-5
• 2 Chronicles 7:14
• Isaiah 53:5
• Jeremiah 30:15-17
• Psalm 147:3
• Psalm 103:1-3
• Matthew 8:16-17
• Luke 4:18
• 1 Peter 2:24-25
• Jeremiah 17:14

That's quite a long list, isn't it?!  Study well, dear friend, and we'll be putting it all together next week.