Overcoming The Fear Of Disease | Bible Study | Isaiah 38 | Mike Prah

Jun 1, 2022 | by Mike Prah

OVERCOMING THE FEAR OF DISEASE | BIBLE STUDY | ISAIAH 38:1-31 |  MIKE PRAH

PART 1 & 2

INTRODUCTION

The fear of a severe disease entering our lives could cause fearful emotions. God's perfect will may not exempt us from illness, but He knows how to turn all things for what's best for good. God is Jehovah Rapha—the God that heals us. He wants us to rely on His Word and prayer when we encounter illness.

 Effects of Disease

Disease affects us in several ways

• Suffering or Pain
• Physical Limitation or Handicap
• Distress
• Social or Behavioral Problems
• Financial burdens
• Death

 Example of Disease: King Hezekiah's Terminal Illness

 "This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. 21 In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered." 2 Chronicles 31:20-21 (NIV)

 "In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, "This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover." 2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 "Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly." 2 Kings 20:1-3 (NIV)

 "A writing of Hezekiah king of Judah after his illness and recovery: 10 I said, "In the prime of my life  must I go through the gates of death and be robbed of the rest of my years?" 11 I said, "I will not again see the Lord himself  in the land of the living; no longer will I look on my fellow man, or be with those who now dwell in this world. 12 Like a shepherd's tent my house has been pulled down and taken from me. Like a weaver, I have rolled up my life, and he has cut me off from the loom; day and night you made an end of me. 13 I waited patiently till dawn, but like a lion he broke all my bones;  day and night you made an end of me. 14 I cried like a swift or thrush, I moaned like a mourning dove. My eyes grew weak as I looked to the heavens. I am being threatened; Lord, come to my aid!" 15 But what can I say? He has spoken to me, and he himself has done this. I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul." Isaiah 38:9-15, NIV

 GOD'S REMEDY FOR DISEASE: Isaiah 38:1-21

 1. Dedication to Prayer (Isaiah 38: 1-3; 10-15)

 "About that time, Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: "This is what the Lord says: 'Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.'" 2 When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 "Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you." Then he broke down and wept bitterly." Isaiah 38:1-3 (NLT)

"I said, "In the prime of my life, must I now enter the place of the dead? Am I to be robbed of the rest of my years?" 11 I said, "Never again will I see the Lord God while still in the land of the living. Never again will I see my friends or be with those who live in this world. 12 My life has been blown away like a shepherd's tent in a storm. It has been cut short, as when a weaver cuts cloth from a loom. Suddenly, my life was over. 13 I waited patiently all night, but I was torn apart as though by lions. Suddenly, my life was over. 14 Delirious, I chattered like a swallow or a crane, and then I moaned like a mourning dove. My eyes grew tired of looking to heaven for help. I am in trouble, Lord. Help me!" 15 But what could I say? For he himself sent this sickness. Now I will walk humbly throughout my years because of this anguish I have felt." Isaiah 38:10-15 (NLT)

•  Every believer can and should pray for healing. You don't have to be an elder, a pastor, or a super-Christian to pray for healing for yourself or other people. Any believer can pray for healing—and God wants you to be a healing agent!

First, make sure your heart is clean from sin. Holding on to unconfessed sin will always hinder your prayers for healing. James says, "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed" (James 5:16, NIV). When you confess, it's like you're cleaned inside out.

 Next, ask in faith. James says, "But when you pray, you must believe and not doubt at all. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven and blown about by the wind" James 1:6 (GNT).

•  Pray with the expectation, trusting God will answer your prayers in His time and His way. The person you're praying for may or may never be healed in this life. But you can still pray for healing—without doubt and in faith—because you know God never stops working out His purposes. He hears you, and He cares about the person you're praying for or the sickness that may burden you.
•  Get your heart right with God. Confess your sin. Ask him for healing in faith, then watch how He works. It will be beyond anything you can imagine!

 2. Believe And Hold On To God's Promises

 "Then this message came to Isaiah from the Lord: 5 "Go back to Hezekiah and tell him, 'This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life" Isaiah 38:4-5 (NLT)

 3. Praise God Always

 Praise is the path that brings us near God and His love, His power, and His grace.

 "Yes, this anguish was good for me, for you have rescued me from death and forgiven all my sins. 18 For the dead cannot praise you; they cannot raise their voices in praise. Those who go down to the grave can no longer hope in your faithfulness. 19 Only the living can praise you as I do today. Each generation tells of your faithfulness to the next. 20 Think of it—the Lord is ready to heal me! I will sing his praises with instruments every day of my life in the Temple of the Lord." Isaiah 38:17-20 (NLT)  

• Praise shifts our focus from our problems to God's character. Praise verbalizes our trust in who God is and His ability to rescue and restore us. We draw near to God with our words, and He responds by drawing near to us. 

• Burdens lighten when we express gratitude to God for being our source of strength. 

• Sorrow eases when we recognize and praise God as our comforter. 

• Confusion fades when we acknowledge and praise God as our source of wisdom. 

• Joy increases when we hail God for His unfailing love and faithfulness.

 It's easy to praise God when life's going well. Not so much when life takes an unexpected and unwelcome detour. But that's when we need to praise God the most. And that's often when we see God work in amazing ways in response to our cry for help. As believers, praise must be a lifestyle for every season of our lives

 "I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak His praises. I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are discouraged take heart." Psalm 34:1-2 (NLT)

 "Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion" Psalm 103:2-4

 How To Praise God

 Fill in the blank—“God, I praise You for _______________.” (God’s Character, Promises, Works)

 4. Pay Attention to Medical Prescription

 "Isaiah had said to Hezekiah's servants, "Make an ointment from figs and spread it over the boil, and Hezekiah will recover." Isaiah 38:21 (NLT) 

• There are three (3)  ways that God accomplishes healing in this world. 

- Naturally

- Medically

- Supernaturally

• As Christians, we must embrace the truth that we are creatures of flesh and spirit. Our disease may be caused by biological, psychological, environmental, or spiritual issues. Our healing sometimes involves a multifaceted approach. 

• God created natural and medical elements and gave it it's healing properties for our healing. He also gave scientists the knowledge to produce and administer medicine.

• There is nothing wrong with seeking a doctor's help when we are sick. There is nothing wrong with taking the medication a doctor prescribes in the way they are prescribed. When a doctor prescribes an unusual, high-risk medical procedure, it is prudent for Christians to pray and ask for God's direction. 

Example of Natural healing:

"I lie down and sleep; I will wake again, because the LORD sustains me" Psalm 3:5 (NIV)

Example of Physical healing:

1 Timothy 5:23, Paul advises Timothy to drink a little wine to relieve his stomach ailment. Since drugs had not yet been developed in Bible days, fermented drinks were often used to remedy pain and suffering. 

"Don't drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often." 1 Timothy 5:23, NLT 

 Example of Supernatural healing:

"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness." Matthew 19:35

 PRACTICAL GODLY DISCIPLINES FOR THE SEASON OF DISEASE

 1. Control your mind by bringing your thoughts into captivity to honor Christ

 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline" 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

 "We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NLT)

 "That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day" 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NLT)

 "The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit? Proverbs 18:14 (NLT)

 2. Count my blessings and learn what God is teaching me through this challenge

 "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

 3. Continue in my God-given "work" by trusting that His strength is made perfect in my weakness

 "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

 4. Claim God's promises

"When Jesus heard about it he said, "Lazarus's sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this." John 11:4 (NLT)

 5. Focus on your eternal future

 "My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:2-3, NIV

 GOD'S HEALING PROMISES

 "I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done." Psalm 118:17 (NIV)

 "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" Matthew 11:28-19 (NIV)

  "My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

  "My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one's whole body" Proverbs 4:20-22 (NIV)

  God said, "If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes,  if you pay attention to His commands and keep all His decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you." Exodus 15:26 (NIV)

  "They cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He sent out His word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind." Psalm 107:19-21 (NIV)

  "Worship the Lord your God, and His blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you" Exodus 23:25 (NIV)

  "Lord my God, I called to You for help, and You healed me." Psalm 30:2 (NIV)

  "Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered Him punished by God, stricken by Him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:4-5 (NIV)

  "The Lord protects and preserves [the righteous]—they are counted among the blessed in the land— He does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness." Psalm 41:2-3 (NIV)

 "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

  Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me, and I will be saved, for You are the one I praise." Jeremiah 17:14 (NIV)

 "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness." Matthew 19:35 (NIV)

 "Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." Mark 5:34 (NIV)

 "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16 (NIV)

 "He himself bore our sins" in His body on the cross so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by His wounds you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:24 (NIV)