“By His Stripes We Are Healed” Isaiah 53:5

 " But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5, KJV).

Is Isaiah 53:5 a promise that God will heal everyone? What is the context of this verse? If we inspect the scripture, a natural rhythm draws our mind to the actions of being wounded, bruised, and chastisement (the physical punishment), culminating in His stripes for our healing. Similar to the workings of a well-orchestrated symphony in which each instrumental movement tells a story in much the same way chapters in a book tells a story. 

What is the story? The story of our savior as recorded by Isaiah 53:4 Jesus carried our griefs and sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

 We should also use the memory of his torment to help us to remember not to take for granted the great price he paid for our righteousness. We should give our lives and our worship to him to his worthy because he was slain (Rev 5:9) (www.connectusfund.org/isaiah 53).

A benefit of being in the body of Christ is God's promise of healing. However, belonging also requires belief and faith in God's healing promise. The Old and New Testament scriptures show examples of men and women engaging in belief and faith that "by His stripes we are healed."

For example, two examples, one from the O.T. and the other from N.T., reveal God's promises of intent and outcome. 2 Kings 5 recounts the story of Naaman, a great warrior, in the service of King Aram, suffering from leprosy and his subsequent healing. Additionally, in Matthew 20:29, Jesus heals two blind beggars. 

However, the unequal responses of each person or persons as they ask for and receive their respective healings serve as an example of God's healing power despite the individual's attitude or response to being healed. 

 

The lesson for us as we seek and receive God's healing promise is to remember that the way God chooses to carry out our healing may not align with our way, as in the case of Naaman. Naaman's story reveals why we should not allow our reactions to the way of faith to keep us from the cure we need the most.

Again, is Isaiah 53:5 a promise that God will heal everyone? Yes, he will if one humbly submits to the will and way of God. In essence, healing is available; your choice to receive or not receive is up to you. God will not chase you down and make you receive the healing. An excellent place to begin is Psalm 30:2 "Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me"(New International Version).

P.O. V. Not to do injustice to any of the other examples of healing recorded in the Bible. I suggest taking time to read their encouraging lessons of courage and truth.

                                      A Few Healing Scriptures:

Jeremiah 17:14 - Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.

Jeremiah 33:6 - Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security.

1 Peter 2:24 - He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.

Psalm 41:3 - The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; you restore him to total health in his illness.

Psalm 147:3 - He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Proverbs 17:22 - A joyful heart is a good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

James 5:15 - And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. Moreover, if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

3 John 1:2 - Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

Short Prayer for Healing - "Father, help me to keep my focus on You when the pain and hurt are overwhelming. Help me be faithful and see the good and blessings surrounding me. Please strengthen my mind, heart, and body, and heal me today. May the Holy Spirit guide me in peace and comfort. Amen."

Healing is Yours,

Minister Sylvia Joyner

References

50+ Bible Verses for Healing - Powerful Scriptures to Encourage (biblestudytools.com)

King James Version (KJV)

New International Version (NIV) Psalm 30:2