Today’s Readings: 1 Sam 1:1‐2:21, John 5:1‐23, Psalm 105:37‐45, Proverbs 14:28‐29

God’s Word: John 5:6-9 When Jesus saw him…, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?…” “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.

The pool of Bethesda where Jesus heals in John 5

my words: Recently, someone pointed out to me that the vast majority of Christ’s healings were attached to a direct command that the one being healed had to obey.  Here, the man was told to “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.”  It reminds me of the clear instruction in James 2:14-26 that faith without works is dead.  I do not believe that sickness is a result of a lack of faith.  But, the Bible tells us that prayer for healing must be done in faith (James 5:15).

Apply: As I pray for healing today, what is God asking me to do in faith?

Do you have any stories of healing in your life or in the life of someone close to you?