“Those who suffer from a serious skin disease must tear their clothing and leave their hair uncombed. They must cover their mouth and call out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ As long as the serious disease lasts, they will be ceremonially unclean. They must live in isolation in their place outside the camp. [Leviticus 13.45-46]
I have a few thoughts today about heaven.
As I consider the plight of one declared "unclean" due to a sickness (in this case most likely leprosy), it seems necessary to consider that the person is declared "ceremonially" unclean. So, aside from the fact that the person is indeed afflicted with a physical problem, there is also a ceremonial picture being drawn for all to see.
One can only assume the ceremonial meaning of being declared unclean has to do with that person's proximity to other people and to the Tabernacle (or presence of God). With this in mind, it is safe to conclude that the sickness is undesirable to both God and man.
Now, where I am going with this is precisely this point: God has no tolerance for sickness. And, because God has no tolerance for sickness, He certainly will not have it in "His House." Furthermore, if God will not have sickness in His House, why would we ever assume that sickness comes from God? Why would we ever assume that the will of God in Heaven would include sickness? Why would we not conclude that to pray for God's will on earth as it is in Heaven is to pray against sickness?
I am building a point for praying for health! But, I am also building the same point for praying for salvation and provision!
Salvation belongs to our God - we know that. We know that there will be no "unsaved" in Heaven because the unsaved are not God's, and their condition is not God's will. The same is true of health and wealth.
We are very sure that Heaven's streets are of pure gold. Why, would we pray for anything less than prosperity then if we are asking for earth's circumstances to line up with Heaven's ("Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven...")?
Regardless of the outcome of our prayers, the standard for God's will (that we should pray for) is Heaven. We have no record that Jesus ever refused salvation or healing to anyone - so why should we? Why would we not pray with all dedication and passion for the way things are in Heaven?
Father, I am convinced that the way we understand things are in Heaven should be the guide for what we pray for here on earth. Help us to discard religious untruths that would convince us to pray otherwise!
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