The very leaves of that tree which is Christ are for healing, and you have touched but the hem of His garment in this cry. Know that the least thing about Him, even the common blessings and the lower streams of His grace, are full of virtue to purge and restore. That face you long to see renewed, fresher than a newborn babe’s, owes its brightness above to these healing leaves, and His power is not shortened that it cannot reach your skin even now. The balm of His atonement has lost none of its efficacy. Have unstaggering confidence in this Divine Healer.
Yet observe the order which our Lord Himself employed: first forgiveness, then healing. When the sick of the palsy was lowered through the roof, Jesus did not begin with his limbs but said, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” Pardon and healing stand in blessed conjunction. That same hand which removes the guilt of sin is the hand that can smooth the scars and blemishes of the flesh. It is one sudden sweep of mercy, not a half-pardon, not a partial mending, but a full work. From a pardoning God there flow such mercies that weak hearts revive. Ask not only for the skin’s restoration, but let the cry ascend for the cleansing of the inward man. The power of the Lord is present to heal even while He teaches, and He links healing with the truth of His Word. Hear candidly, then, and honestly. Bring out the hard thoughts and self-reliance that may have festered beneath, and let the Gospel’s surgery cut deep. Healing virtue flows through the Incarnation itself, Christ took our flesh to heal our flesh. He took her by the hand, and lifted her up; so He makes contact with our frail humanity.
You speak of a needle and a physician’s hand. Means are not to be despised, yet they are but the leaves, not the root. The world’s remedies often fail when the nerve of our nature is untouched, but the Creator knows our frame. Go on, then, and use such helps as Providence affords, but place no final reliance there. The appointment you seek, the surgeon you would be sent to, these are channels, but the power belongs to God alone. It is a melancholy thing to be in the region of divine power and yet not to feel its operations. Real healing is the work of God, and God only. A mere religious fancy will not pass muster when the Lord examines the heart. There must be a real saving work, and the desire to minister to Christ afterward always arises out of healing. This same body, mended by His mercy, will serve Him while health remains.
Wait on Him, then, though the hours press. He makes no delay beyond His wise decree. The sun may seem to tarry, but the Sun of Righteousness rises with healing in His wings at the appointed moment. Be blind among blind men, it is the safe path of prudence, but to have eyes opened among them is a miracle that silences human pride. That which cannot be wrought by nature is very possible with God. He proves it by restoring sight to the man born blind. So with your skin, so with your spirit. Heed humble, believing, obedient hearing; let faith grasp the promise that He who forgives all your iniquities also heals all your diseases. And when the answer is evident, rise and minister unto Him with gratitude.