HE SENT HIS WORD, AND HEALED THEM

       "He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."  (Psa 107:20)

The presence of disease has proved a great challenge to humanity. Many have been so distracted by it, they have been unable to relate malady or its cure with the God of heaven. The Word of God, however, is careful to associate both the presence and removal of disease with the Living God. No "thorn in the flesh" is independent of His supervision, and no removal is accomplished without His intervention. When Job was afflicted with sore boils, He said, "What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" (Job 2:10). It is a high view, indeed, that so perceives the afflictions of this life, but it brings great solace to the heart, for God can then more easily be perceived as being able to remove such things.
Our text says God "sent His word, and healed them." Their healing did not require a work, but a word! Our great God can speak disease away! When He sends a commandment upon the earth, it runs "very swiftly" (Psa 147:15). He once said to ailing Hezekiah: "I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee" (2 Kgs 20:5). A centurion seeking the healing of his servant, knew Jesus could heal with a word: "but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed" (Matt 8:8). It only takes a word from God, and infirmity flees away. At His word, Israelites bitten by poisonous serpents were healed (Num 21:9). During their forty years in the wilderness, His word kept their feet from swelling (Neh 9:21). With His Omnipotent word, God kept Israel safe from the intentions of Pharaoh and his armies (Ex 15:1), the obstinance of Og and Sihon (Josh 2:10), and the intentions of wicked nations surrounding them (Ex 34:24). He healed and delivered them.
God has identified Himself as the One who forgives iniquity and heals diseases. "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction" (Psa 103:2-3)–almost exactly paralleling our text. Sometimes the Lord uses different means to carry out His word. Once He used a brazen serpent (Num 21:8-9). Once he used a "lump of figs" placed on a life-threatening boil (2 Kgs 20:7). But in every case, it was His word that was sent and wrought the healing.
In our day, minds have been corrupted by the wisdom of men, so that they rarely associate healing with God speaking. But faith is fully capable of embracing this truth, and we must encourage men to do so. God has nowhere suggested His power is no longer operative in this manner. It will probably not be long until you will want to believe this text. Why not do it now?