To see an illustration of how God does this healing in our lives, read and consider the following verses from Psalm 107. Specifically, take note of how God deals with those who are distressed because of their sin:
“Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; 5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.6 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.7 He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in.8 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons,11 for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High.12 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help.13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.15 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men! 16 For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.17 Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.20 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.21 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men! 22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!23 Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters;24 they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep.25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight;27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits' end.28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.31 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men! 32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.” Psalms 107:4-32
In Psalm 107, we see the history of the nation of Israel presented in four illustrations. In verses 4-9, we see them as "wilderness wanderers," who are lost and can't find their way out of the desert. In verses 10-16, we see them as "chained captives," who are in a dark prison of their own making because they rebelled against the words of God. In verses 17-22, we see them as "sin-sick souls," who are desperately ill, loathing food, and drawing near to the gates of death because of their foolish and sinful ways. In verses 23-32, we see them as "tempest-tossed travelers" who are battered by a storm.
In the first illustration, we see God answering the desperate prayer of the wilderness wanderers as He becomes the "Deliverer of all Distresses" and the "Satisfier of the soul" (Psalm 107:6-9). In the second illustration, we see God answering the desperate cry of the chained captive as He becomes the "Bondage Breaker" for those in prison, helping them out of their self-forged jail cell (Psalm 107:14-16). In the fourth illustration, we see God helping the "tempest-tossed travelers" by becoming the "Storm Stiller" for them, bringing them to their desired haven (Psalm 107:29-30).
Notice now that the third illustration presents our God as the "Powerful Physician" to the sin-sick soul. Verse 20 tells us, "He sent forth His Word and healed them." Oh yes, there is true healing for sin-sickness in God's Word.
Two thousand years ago, God sent forth His Word of healing. His Word became flesh and dwelt among us in the Person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14). He grew up sinless and perfect, helping all around Him, and doing good. He healed the sick, raised the dead, cured the leper, fed the poor, and did so many other good things that if they were all to be written, even the whole earth could not contain them (John 21:25). In return, He was falsely accused by His own people, mocked, judged wrongly, and condemned to death. Before His crucifixion, He was beaten, scourged, tormented, and tortured. Then He was hung between two criminals on a cruel Roman cross. Why? Why did all this happen to Him? Why did He willingly lay down His life?
"He sent out his word and healed them and delivered them from their destruction." Psalm 107:20
Ah, here is the healing power of the cross! God sent out His Word, Jesus Christ, Who died on the cross to heal us, dear friend, from our sin-sickness and to deliver us from our self-destructive ways.
As I sit here looking out over the beauty of the ocean, seeing the white foam of the waves, hearing the call of the seagulls, and smelling the fresh ocean air, I am thankful that our God has made an environment like this for our delight. But as I have written this lesson, I have been crying tears of brokenhearted joy. I have seen once again the immensity of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on my behalf. I have been delighting in the forgiveness and new life I have found at the cross. It is not the ocean, the fresh air, and the seagulls that bring healing to my soul. It is the cross!
It is hard to imagine the immensity of the pain that Jesus underwent at the cross. He was beaten, whipped, crushed, bruised, scourged, and tortured. He was trampled, battered, cursed, mocked, spit upon, struck, and marred beyond human recognition (Isaiah 52:14). It is even more amazing to grasp the truth that all this suffering was for our healing. He was "chastised" to bring us peace, and "by His stripes, we are healed."
If you want catharsis, look to the cross of Christ. Jesus purchased it for you there.
Question 8. Please provide any closing thoughts you have on this lesson.
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Irene writes, "Jesus is our strength and righteousness. Help me understand it, Lord, help me take it in, what it meant for you, the Holy One, to remove my sin. Father, I believe, I step out in faith in your work at Calvary, your strength, your healing, your victory."
Samantha writes, "For several years I have been admonished by the Lord to linger at Gethsemane and the foot of the cross. I attempted to do this, but this is the first real study that I have found that has given me clarity on why He would have me do this. It is because God loves me and wants me to know the depth of His love for me, what Jesus willingly went through on my behalf. He wants me to know what He did for me. I was sexually abused as a child, and I hid my true self away and withdrew even from God for many years because I did not want to be hurt. I praise God that He would not leave me there but has shown Himself to me. God has healed me of many diseases of the heart, mind, soul, and body. He did this for me on the cross because He loved me. I struggle to understand. I, too, am sitting here in tears; it is hard for this finite mind to comprehend. He's breaking the hard shell I built around my heart. I don't have to be afraid anymore; I don't have to hide anymore. Jesus' death bought my freedom; He wants me to live and live a life in, with, and through Him. He was there when I was hurt, He has always been there with me, and He will always be there with me. I can trust Him; I can let Him love me. I am free to live again. Thank You, Father, thank You."