Last week Cheryl and I were on the road. We got home Saturday and then drove 130 miles Sunday morning so I could lead worship in Weatherford, Texas. That afternoon we met two of my daughters at my mother’s house in Dallas for a Father’s Day and early birthday party for me. I was exhausted by the time we got home. It turns out it was more than just exhaustion. I was running a fever on Monday. The fever left quickly, but I have been sick all week. And not just a little. Dizziness, weakness, aches, lack of energy and the inability to focus on things. This thing knocked me on my backside. We had to cancel a camping trip with my youngest daughter and her family. And that is why there have not been devotions every day this week. But I am on the mend now. While still not 100%, I am on the road to recovery.

When I got out of bed this morning feeling so much better than I have in days, these words popped into my head.

Psalm 103:1–5 (ESV)  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

God is kind and gracious and is the one who grants healing. I am aware of and extremely grateful for that. But what about those who get ill and do not recover? We’ve all seen that in our lives. How do we respond to that?  Look at the passage again.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.

Forget not ALL His benefits, which include forgiveness and redemption. While we don’t always think of it this way, those who have faith in Jesus and do not recover from illness have received the greater gift. They enter the presence of their Savior. Paul had that conviction and confidence.

Romans 14:8 (ESV) For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.

I thank God for my physical healing. I thank Him even more for the spiritual healing and restoration He has given me for Jesus’ sake.