Isn’t it amazing that God has already developed a healing plan for mankind and He has carefully made it known through experience and through His Word? That healing, life-sustaining plan of God positions our Heavenly Father as the centerpiece of His healing program. He is the focal point. We can see this in the fact that God has revealed Himself to mankind throughout the Bible as persistently and consistently watching over His people. In account after account, the Bible reveals God caring for people and fixing their lives. He provides for their safety and delivers them from destruction. He nurtures them, gives strength, and meets their needs. God relieves distress while calming fears and bringing rest. He comforts His people, providing peace, hope, and joy and He revives their bodies. All of these are healing acts by God on behalf of people. Actually, every book of the Bible at some level reveals the healing nature of God.

In light of such caring and benevolence toward people, it should come as no surprise that God would at some time in history give specific and sure revelation to mankind concerning healing. Historically this came about when God brought the Children of Israel out of slavery from Egypt. When they had passed through the Red Sea and had traveled about three days into the wilderness, God revealed Himself as Jehovah-Rapha. Jehovah-Rapha is one of the Covenant names of God meaning, “I am the Lord who heals you,” or “I am the Lord your Physician” (Exodus 15:26).

At that time in history, God was identifying important information. He was revealing something very important about who He is by innate nature and character and how He planned to relate to people. People didn’t know much about God back then. They didn’t know that healing is embedded in who God is. It was necessary for God to reveal this truth about Himself. He chose to tell people that He was their source of healing, first, last and always. It was as if He was saying, “I am the one you need to turn to for healing. I am the one who is capable of healing you. It is my desire to heal you. I am your healer, your physician. I am your life-giver and your life-sustainer. I am Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord who heals you.”

This revelation, this truth, this declaration by God is the essential base from which all faith, hope, and expectation for divine healing can rise. A person needs to know that God is their source for healing if they are to trust and have faith that He can and will provide it. They need to recognize the amazing role God has played in providing healing and the role He desires to play in the life of every sick individual. God truly is Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord who heals you.