Healing In His Wings

Malachi 4:2 "But to you who fear My name (says the Lord of Hosts), the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves."

 I know you are probably wondering what this little teapot and cup with a butterfly has to do with the above verse and story below.  I will tell you in a minute.

"The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings, 

and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves."

Interesting terminology.  I love it...and I claim it by faith on behalf of my dear friend Sharon, who has been diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer, (and she has never smoked a day in her life) and she begins chemotherapy tomorrow. 

 

My hubby and I with our friend Sharon last week. 

The vision that imagery conjures up in my mind is one of complete health, mighty in strength and vitality; restored in every way to a full, long, and happy life. Wow! Thank you, Jesus, for this picture You have engraved in my heart right now! I pray that it will be true in every way for my friend Sharon. (Although I think she’d probably prefer not to “grow fat like stall-fed calves”…Ha Ha. Just injecting a little humor here, which I believe Sharon will appreciate). 

My friend Sharon is a remarkable woman in every way. I will not even begin to try and list the ways here because it would take too long.  But last week, we went to visit Sharon in her home to pray and spend a little time just trying to encourage her as she faces this battle for her life...and what does she do?  She gives me a gift.  Yes...she gives me a gift.  The little "teapot and cup for one" shown above she had found in a thrift store somewhere and thought of me, and wanted me to have it. I was speechless!  But as I looked more deeply into this lovely little teapot, I discovered another gift...the butterfly in the bottom of the cup and also on the outside with the flowers... a butterfly! To many the butterfly is a symbol of healing, of new life, of resurrection...a thing of beauty created by our Lord to brighten our days and give us hope when we feel hopeless!

And as I looked at this wonderful gift, I knew that God wanted me to have it so that I would be reminded to pray for Sharon every day...and to have hope for her healing, and to have confidence on her behalf that indeed, "The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings"....and my friend Sharon shall "go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves"!!

I know that many of you have had your own battles to win, challenges to face, and triumphs to celebrate.  There are some of you who also have family members and friends battling serious illnesses, overcoming tragedies, and who may be learning to walk by faith through treacherous terrain. Perhaps this verse and this little story will be encouraging to you today.   And possibly you may be the one who can share this hope and encouragement with others around you. Christ has come into the world with "healing in His wings"...that's what Christmas is all about...Christ came not only to save us from our sins, but also to heal us from our wounds and illnesses and broken hearts.

Luke 4:18 (and also Isaiah 61:1-2)

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because He has anointed Me 

to preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty those who are oppressed;

to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

Be blessed today, my friends!

Christ has come with "healing in His wings".