The LORD GOD pursues us while we are yet sinners. He forgives us for our sin and then heals us. I asked Him why during prayer time and this is what He said; “The heart must be prepared to receive.” We cannot receive God’s goodness until our hearts have been forgiven. The guilt of sin stands in the way of our redemption so the Lord forgives us, breaks the allow ground of our hearts and softens the soil so that His love can penetrate and redeem us.
2 Chronicles 30 18-20 demonstrate this. Hezekiah prayed for the people saying, the good LORD pardon every one that prepares his heart to seek and follow God, the LORD GOD. The LORD, the self-existent I AM, hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. God did what Hezekiah asked of Him.
Jesus did the same thing while He was here on earth. In Mark 2:1-12, a man was brought before Jesus by his four friends. They lowered him through the roof to get him in front of Jesus. Jesus saw the faith of the four men and turned to the paralyzed man and said “Son, your sins are forgiven.” He wasn’t healed just yet, but this prepared the man’s heart to receive the healing that Jesus was about to pronounce on him.
Jesus demonstrated His power to forgive sins and heal the broken body. After rebuking the scribes that were sitting there, He said to the paralyzed man, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately the man got up and did exactly what Jesus told him to do.
Healing starts with the heart. First, we receive His love and forgiveness. Then we can receive his healing power into our bodies and walk completely healed and whole.
Rejoice, for you are greatly loved!