“Direct All Healing Mercies To The Lord!”

“Direct All Healing Mercies To The Lord!”
The most beautiful princess in the land was betrothed to the Fox. On the day he was to bring home his bride, he sent his friend Lizard. Lizard went and took the bride but because she was a superb beauty Lizard eloped with her. Fox heard the news and started pursuing the Lizard. Lizard has been running ever since. That is why each time you see a Lizard it is always on speed. When it happens to be still, its head is lifted up watching and listening to hear whether the Fox is approaching. When you take what does not belong to you, you would constantly be running away from the owner.
In kingdom matters we are merely tools in God’s hands. A messenger is a bearer of a package or news whose role is to deliver and bring a response back to the sender. He may be shown gratitude for being serviceable but he remains a conduit.
While in Lystra Paul healed “a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked.” When this happened the crowd shouted in their mother-tongue, “the gods have come down in human form!” They called Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes. Zeus was Father of the Greek gods residing on Mt. Olympus and Hermes was a messenger of the gods. Zeus was a patron god of Lystra.
The priest of Zeus brought bulls and wreaths to sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas. Paul and Barnabas could have been human enough to accept the praise and honour of men. But yes; they were humbly human enough to tell the people, “…We too are only men, humans like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God… In the past he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony. He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” (Acts 14:8-18).
In other words, Paul was simply letting them know that all glory belongs to God for healing the cripple. More importantly that God is constantly performing his miracles in their midst, healing them daily by providing for their daily sustenance.
When King Hezekiah was healed of his illness, he did not praise prophet Isaiah who prescribed the medication. He praised God for it (Is.38:9-20). When Jesus healed a deaf and dumb man, the “people were overwhelmed with amazement” and they said, “He has done everything well…” (Mk.7:31-37). They praised him because he himself is God incarnate!
My friend, whether you are the one through whom healing takes place, or you are the one who is healed, know that all praises belong to God. Give him all the glory. Be reminded that the good news is for you “to turn from these worthless things to serve the living God…”
Sunday prayer: Holy Spirit keep reminding me that I’m only a tool in God’s hands. Amen!