Impossible Healings: Lives Well Lived
He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, 'Do not weep.' Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, 'Young man, I say to you, arise.' So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.
Luke 7:11-15 (NKJV)
Some say you can witness a life well lived by how many attend the funeral.* A large crowd followed the widow of Nain in the procession to bury her son.
We might assume she and/or he were well-liked. Sometime earlier, she lost her husband. As we meet her, she has just lost her son. In grief, did she expect a miracle? Probably not, but Jesus gave her one.
Another unexpected miracle came upon the man with a withered hand and the woman bent down for eighteen years** Each of them was healed in a synagogue.
We assume they were God-fearing people.
In faithful, enduring perseverance,
In doing and living as best they could,
They got what they didn’t expect: HEALING!
Recall these simple Old Testament Words:
‘You shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you' (Deuteronomy 6:18)
Lives well-lived yield unexpected blessings, including healing!
'Blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the Voice of the Lord your God' (Deuteronomy 28:2).***
NOTE: Lives well-lived are often noticed by men, but always, ALWAYS noticed by God.
'For the Eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him' (2 Chronicles 16:9).
In regards to our personal healing, could it be we don't even need to ask? Because 'Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him' (Matthew 6:8).
One day, when I was walking and praying, God said, 'Carey, stop praying for yourself. Pray for everyone else.'
I can't pretend I always remember, but if we focus on healing others, God WILL NOT FAIL to focus on our own.
Impossible Healings: Lives Well Lives (Part 9)
* Excluding the funerals of prominent people, where gatherings can become 'a place for other prominent people to be seen.' Excluding the funerals of newcomers to any area.
** The man with the withered hand: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%203:1-7&version=NKJV
** The woman with a spirit of infirmity: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2013:11-13&version=NKJV
*** Blessings for obedience to God's Word: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+28&version=NKJV
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.