In this message, Pastor Ben gives us three reminders about seeking divine healing today: 1. Our reward awaits us in heaven, when Christ returns 2. God can redeem our suffering for his glory and our good 3. Prayer and anointing are designed to strengthen our faith in our hour of greatest need
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It has been a long time since I have stepped into this pulpit with as much fear and trembling as I do today. I want to talk to you—God’s beloved people, who are kept by Jesus Christ, and who are no strangers to the joys of life as well as its trials. Today, I want to talk to you about suffering and healing.
I wonder if there is a person in this room who has not suffered in some way. I have my doubts that any of us are foreign to it. Our suffering looks different than others. Some have undergone terrible challenges of health, terrible losses in this life, or terrible addictions. Even the smallest of our children have probably experienced some degree of suffering—even if it is just, “Mom, my brother put marker on my arm!”
When we talk about healing, sometimes we fall into the idea that because God is a great physician and a healer, healing is the only solution to our problems and hardships. But as we read from the fifth chapter of James, it becomes very obvious that God is not only a good and faithful physician; God is also a good and faithful Savior and friend.
As we unpack God’s Word together today, I want to show us that not only does God heal today, but He is also a faithful doctor who stands by our bedsides—not only to grant healing, but also to grant us endurance.
Join with me as we seek God one more time for His aid today.
Lord, in Your power and goodness, we pray that You would open Your Word to each of us. Lord, in Your kindness and grace, open our eyes to see the truths that are in Your Word. Give us ears to hear what might be difficult and not easy to swallow. Lord, give us trust in You to believe Your Word above our own thoughts and feelings. All of these things we ask in the name of Christ. Amen.
The Promise of Resurrection and the Reality of Suffering
By way of review from last week, we discovered that Christ is the Great Physician—He is the One who heals us. Divine healing is the healing of the body by the power and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ from beginning to end. Anytime a believer experiences healing, it is a gift from Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
For those of us who are believers, every gospel blessing we receive—whether adoption into the family of God, justification, or sanctification—comes as a gift of Christ through the work of His Holy Spirit. Healing is a promise of the resurrection. Whatever healing we experience in this life is a look forward to the day when we will be raised with Jesus Christ, where there will be no more sorrow, crying, or pain, and we shall see Jesus as He is.
However, as our text tells us today, we are still living in a fallen world. We are still people who experience hardship and suffering. Jesus Christ never promised that we would live in this world in comfort and ease. Instead, right before He left His disciples to be betrayed and crucified, He told them, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). That is likely no news to many of us.
As we approach James chapter 5—which is quoted often when we talk about healing—we must understand that our problems do not simply disappear because we believe in Jesus. James was written to a people who understood the hardships of this life. The Apostle James was the brother of Jesus Christ. If anyone knew the mind and preaching of Jesus, it was James. He wrote to believers who faced their fair share of persecution and hardship.
In James 5:7–9, he writes:
“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.”
Just as physical healing reminds us of the promise of resurrection, James reminds us that the primary reward for the Christian—what we are truly looking forward to—is not found in this world right now. In fact, the temporal reward for following Christ right now often includes hardship. The worldly outcome of doing good is not always desirable. You might think, “I was so generous to the church in my tithe, but now I can’t subscribe to Netflix for a month.” Or, “I shared the gospel with somebody, and now they won’t talk to me.” Or, “I prayed continuously for the salvation of a family member, but the more I pray, the harder their heart seems to become.”
Our ultimate reward is not in this world, and James reminds us of that. He says the Lord is coming, so we must be patient. In James 1:12, he writes:
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
This life is one of testing. It is like putting gold into a crucible in a furnace, heating it to an immense temperature to reveal how much is pure gold and how much is worthless dross. This life tests the true nature of our faith.
Endurance Through the Furnace of Life
This is why James points to the prophets and to Job as examples. The main objective of their lives was not to avoid suffering at all costs, nor was it to actively seek out martyrdom. It was to endure whatever came their way with faithfulness, looking to God for His favor and reward.
Consider the prophets: they often witnessed the very judgments they prophesied. Jeremiah declared that Jerusalem would be destroyed, and he saw it happen with his own eyes. Isaiah gave specific prophecies about judgment and saw many come to fruition. Yet Isaiah prophesied about the Suffering Servant without seeing Him face-to-face in his earthly lifetime, and Jeremiah did not live to see Jesus bring the New Covenant. The prophets often saw the judgments unfold, but not the ultimate realization of the promises of salvation on earth.
When we talk about healing, we can be tempted to take James 5:13–16 regarding anointing and prayer as an ironclad, mechanical guarantee. We treat it like the instruction manual for a new appliance or a prescription box: If I follow these steps exactly, physical healing will undoubtedly occur.
That mindset appeals deeply to our sinful nature. No one wants to be sick or to suffer. Because God does not create evil or take pleasure in sickness, we can wrongly assume He guarantees that every believer will be perfectly healthy and comfortable in this life—as if following Jesus causes every hardship to vanish like magic.
Friends, that is not the gospel message.
James wants to show us that the Lord is compassionate and merciful, even when we face unspeakable hardships and pain beyond our wildest imaginations. We cannot ignore the realities of this life. There are dear Christian people in this church at this very moment who are suffering immensely. The greatest saints throughout church history have had suffering as a constant companion. The godliest people often know suffering best.
To read this passage as a trivial cure for every temporary ache and pain minimizes the weight of Scripture. That is not to say we should not pray for healing—we absolutely should! But this is a weightier spiritual matter than we often realize. James 5 does not simply say, “Call the elders, pray, and the person will instantly jump out of bed.” It talks about the confession of sin, the hope of the resurrection, and the effective prayer of a righteous person. To understand healing, we must also understand suffering.
Sweet Comfort in the Midst of Suffering
I know this can be hard to hear, and people interpret these passages in various ways. But I can tell you that your ministers are no strangers to trial and suffering. While I will let Pastor Matt share his own story as he has on other occasions, I can speak to my own experience. The medicine of the gospel always accomplishes the work God intends it to do—every single time.
We are called to rejoice when we face trials—not because suffering itself is pleasurable or sweet, but because in the midst of it, we behold God’s compassion and mercy. As James 5:11 says:
“You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”
You might ask, “Why write that, James? That doesn’t seem to make sense when you’re in pain.” When you seek Christ in the middle of hardship, the trial still hurts deeply. Yet I promise you that some of the sweetest comfort I have ever received from God came during those times.
For years, I dealt with chronic illness—visiting doctor after doctor, never feeling well, and occasionally facing public embarrassment when people realized I was sick. During those moments when I prayed, “Lord, this hurts immensely; I’m not sure I can leave my house today,” God in His grace whispered, “Ben, one step in front of the other.” He provided the exact strength, endurance, and faithfulness needed to keep moving.
When I showed up at Valley Alliance on September 16th, 2024, for my first Sunday, it was wonderful. But what I didn’t share at the time was that I had lost my brother just three weeks prior. I didn’t share it because I didn’t want to burden these sweet, wonderful people with my inner grief. As I worked in the office week after week, learned your names, and began teaching Bible studies, there were days I wished I could lock my door and say, “Lord, I can’t do this.” Yet the sweetness of the gospel was entirely sufficient to sustain me.
When we suffer, we ought to pray. But we also discover that God’s compassion and mercy meet us in a profound way within our hardships.
Look at Job’s ultimate realization at the end of his trial. His response was essentially, “Lord, I was so foolish because I thought You were small and worked only within my narrow expectations. But now that You have revealed Your glory and majesty, what can I do except praise You?” God restored his material possessions, but the greatest reward was a deeper vision of God.
I cannot tell you whether my own physical pain has been a great tool for my sanctification—that is for others to discern. But I have found that in my weakness and helplessness, the grace and love of Jesus Christ take on a whole new power and meaning. If we are going to understand healing as a good gift, we must also learn how to suffer well. Not all of us will experience temporal physical healing in every instance, but all of us will face suffering.
I do not know the exact pain or hardship you are carrying today, but I know the sufficiency of Jesus Christ. If His grace was sufficient for the prophets, for Job, and for His own Son—who went to the cross, bore immense physical and spiritual agony, died, was buried, and rose on the third day—then I promise you on the authority of God’s Word that His grace is sufficient for you now, and your ultimate reward is secure in heaven.
The Prayer of Faith and the Care of the Elders
May the Lord have mercy on us as we hold fast to these truths. We need this reminder when we talk about anointing and prayer. Escaping our trials cannot be our primary goal; finding the reality of the gospel, gaining assurance of our salvation, and renewing our hope in Jesus Christ must be our goal in every circumstance—good, bad, or ugly.
That is why James outlines a clear, honest response to life in James 5:13–15:
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”
Notice the range of human experience here. If you are suffering, pray. If you are cheerful, it is good to express that joy—sing praise! And if you are sick, call for the elders of the church.
The original Greek word used for “sick” here does not refer to a common cold or a minor ailment. It describes a life-threatening, debilitating illness. That is why the individual must call for the elders—they are bedridden and unable to go to the church themselves. Paul uses this same word in Philippians 2:27 regarding Epaphroditus, noting that he was “ill near to death, but God had mercy on him.” Epaphroditus was at death’s door before God spared his life.
The sick person is instructed to initiate this request. This provides a helpful correction for us. Our prayers for healing can sometimes become trivial or self-centered. We can feel entitled to treat every minor cough or stubbed toe as an emergency requiring an official rite. James clarifies that gathering the elders to anoint with oil in the name of the Lord is a serious, solemn matter for someone facing grave illness.
When a person is preparing for the possibility of meeting Christ face-to-face, what do they need most? They need gospel assurance and reminders of resurrection hope, far more than an ecstatic declaration that physical cure is guaranteed.
When the elders gather, they pray and anoint with oil, and the passage promises salvation, resurrection, and the forgiveness of sins. Interestingly, the text specifically highlights the faith of the elders: “And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick.”
Consider the paralyzed man in Mark 2. Four friends carried him to Jesus, dug through the roof of a crowded house, and lowered his mat down. Mark 2:5 notes that “when Jesus saw their faith”—the faith of the friends carrying the mat—He spoke forgiveness and healing to the man. Likewise, when the elders gather, it is their faith in bringing the suffering brother or sister before the throne of grace that James highlights.
Prayer for healing should never devolve into an interrogation of the sufferer’s personal faith: “Did I believe enough? Is my faith strong enough?” Instead, entrust yourself to the mercy of God and to the spiritual leaders elected by this congregation to carry your burdens and point you to Christ.
The elders’ prayer is an appeal to God to meet the deepest needs of a suffering person—whether God chooses to grant physical recovery, extend their earthly life, or bring them home to glory. The ultimate need in every circumstance remains constant: the forgiveness of sins and the steadfast hope of Jesus Christ.
If I am facing death, a recovery of physical health would be wonderful. But above all, I am preparing to meet the Judge who stands at the door—the One who knows my heart. Apart from grace, that meeting would bring condemnation; but in Christ, I am saved. If I am struggling with guilt or fear, I need the absolute assurance that Christ is my Savior, that His grace is sufficient, and that I possess a living hope through His resurrection.
Historically, wise leaders in the church have composed prayers for such moments. Consider how these two traditional prayers balance these realities:
Oh most merciful God, who according to the multitude of Your mercies puts away the sins of those who truly repent, remember them no more. Look upon this Your servant who earnestly desires pardon and forgiveness. As he puts his full trust only in Your mercy, do not count his former sins against him, but strengthen him with Your Blessed Spirit. Whenever You are pleased to take him, receive him into Your everlasting favor, through the merits of Your most dearly beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Directly alongside that prayer sits this one:
May He of His great mercy restore to you health and strength to serve Him, and send you release from pain in body and mind. May He forgive all your sins, preserve you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life. Amen.
These two petitions belong together: preparing to meet Christ with a clear conscience and firm hope, while simultaneously seeking physical restoration according to His will.
Preparing to Meet Our God
Is divine healing for today? Yes, divine healing is for today. But in an age where people are terrified of suffering, and where the pursuit of earthly health can become an idol, we need a biblical course correction.
We do not talk about death enough. Lately, when I visit friends, I often wear an old green Sault Ste. Marie baseball cap. People ask, “Where did you get that hat, Ben?” I tell them the story: it belonged to my brother. It sat on his shelf for years as a gift from our grandfather. I used to ask him, “Charlie, can I wear that hat?” He’d say, “No.” Every year during closet cleanouts, I’d ask again, and he’d say, “No, you’ll ruin it.”
About a year after he passed away, I went downstairs and asked my mom, “Can I take Charlie’s hat now?” She said, “辦Cut—absolutely.” I wear it today out of love for him, and with a bit of holy fondness.
The reality is simple: unless Christ returns first, physical death is coming for every one of us. Hebrews 9:27 reminds us that “it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” But for those whose hope is in Jesus Christ, we await the day when we will rise and reign with Him. We must prepare ourselves to fix our eyes on the goodness of God, the reality of Christ’s death, and the hope of His return.
Physical healing is a glorious gift, but it does not replace our heart’s deeper need for gospel grace to endure when temporal healing does not come.
How do we apply this text to our lives today?
First, seek God in every season of life—especially in the midst of suffering. As James reminds us in verse 13, different circumstances require intentional spiritual responses. Pray when you are suffering; offer praise when you are joyful; and call for your brothers and sisters to support you during seasons of deep trial. Lean on the elders and the church family so that together you may rest in the grace of Christ. Do not let a season of ease drift you away from Jesus, and do not let hardship drive you away from the God who loves and sustains you.
Second, ask yourself honestly: Are you prepared to meet your God?
This is not an attempt to frighten you, nor is it spiritual posturing. It is a pastoral reminder that we will all stand before the Lord. Ignoring death will not prepare us for it. Instead, we prepare by practicing faithful spiritual disciplines—confessing our sins to one another and praying for one another, as James commands in verse 16.
When we walk in transparent fellowship, the grip of sin loosens, and the Spirit of God takes deeper control of our hearts, minds, and wills. Then, when that final day arrives, you can pass from this life into the next with these words upon your lips: I know whom I have believed.
Amen.