Hi Brian!

We are continuing with the Jehovah Names of God today with "Jehovah-Rapha". We find this is Exodus 15:26:

26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that heals thee. KJV

"Rapha" is a primitive Hebrew root word that, according to Strong's Concordance, means: to mend (by stitching), to cure. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon adds this: to heal, to make healthful. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds this: To heal may be described as "restoring to normal"; and also this: A large number of the uses of rapha express the "healing" of the nation — such "healing" not only involves God's grace and forgiveness, but also the nation's repentance. Two verses that deal with national healing are Hosea 6:1:

6 Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. KJV

 ...  and Jeremiah 30:17:

17 For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeks after. KJV

And then one that has been used a lot lately with the way this country has been headed: 2 Chronicles 7:14:

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. KJV

It has been very encouraging for me to think that the God Who has already provided for the total healing and health of my physical body, also concerns Himself with making our nation strong again "IF"! That "if" is the condition that must be met first, but notice that it doesn't say ALL people, only HIS people! I firmly believe that if I do MY part, then I can have confidence that He will cause the blessings to continue to flow into my life, even if others choose NOT to obey! I remain in complete agreement with you and Kristine for the health and healing of your entire family, AND for the restoration that is needed for you to continue to prosper and have favor in your careers and in everything you put your hands to! After all, this Jehovah IS the God Whose arm has NOT been shortened (Isaiah 50:2 and 59:1)! He IS the same God He has always been and He changes not (Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8)! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with a song from their new album called "This Is Real Love":

Staring into Your eyes
Makes my heart come alive
Suddenly brought to life
When I met You

Reaching beyond the skies
Running deep, stretching wide
Perfect love realized
Here with You

Yeah this love is for real
You will never let go
Never let go, oh
And it's more than just words
Love beyond my control
Out of control

This is real love
This is real love
[x2]

You're pulling me closer and closer
Holding my heart till the very end
Jesus, I'm found in your freedom
This is real love, this is real love

In Your heart, I'm found
I want You, I want You
You won't let me down
You got me, You got me

Yeah this love is for real
You will never let go
Never let go, oh
And it's more than just words
Love beyond my control
Out of control

You're pulling me closer and closer
Holding my heart till the very end
Jesus, I'm found in your freedom
This is real love, this is real love
Oh
[x2]

Staring into Your eyes
Makes my heart come alive
Suddenly brought to life
When I met You

This is real love
This is real love
[x2]

You're pulling me closer and closer
Holding my heart till the very end
Jesus, I'm found in your freedom
This is real love, this is real love
This is real love

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!