A Daily Purpose

Bible Study & Devotional (Day 81)

Read Today’s Passages (March 22, 2022)

🔴 The Desire to be Healed

Contributing Writer: Irvine Saint-Vilus

Not too long ago, I was visiting a man at the hospital. During our conversation, I realized that the man was severely depressed and expressed a lack of desire to live. He had lost his life partner of many years; he didn’t have any close relatives or friends to turn to during this time of difficulty, and he was dealing with physical pain that was often excruciating.

I did my best to encourage him during our visit, but I left feeling like I had made little difference in his life. The truth of the matter was that regardless of what I said or did not say, the decision to forge on with life and not to give up was up to the man to make. It is inspiring to meet individuals who are determined to fight for their lives despite the magnitude of their trials.

In Scripture, we see examples of such people.

In Luke 5:12-15, we encounter a man with leprosy, a skin disease that made one unclean and an outcast in their community; and when he sees Jesus, “he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’”The man did not surrender to his struggles.

Instead, he desperately desired to be well and sought help from the only One who could heal him. The Bible says that he “implored” or begged Jesus to heal him. So therefore, what differentiates a person who chooses to give up, and one who decides to fight? Assuredly, their faith (or lack thereof) is a significant factor.

The Bible defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

Persons who believe in Someone more significant than themselves who can do what they cannot do for themselves are encouraged and hopeful in receiving what they are asking. For instance, the man with leprosy had the faith to believe that Jesus was the Messiah who could heal him, and he was determined to seek Him out for the healing he wanted.

It is also an excellent boost to know that the God of the universe is able and very willing to help those in need. When the leprous man said to Jesus, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean,” Jesus’s reply was, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Like the leper, when we come to Jesus for healing or anything else that we need, He is willing and able to do so because He is “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

Irvine Saint-Vilus

Irvine is a published author, worship leader, instructor, and speaker. Over the past two years, she worked as an instructional assistant helping autistic students in the school system. Irvine also had the privilege of working as a chaplain in a hospital setting, which allowed her to minister to patients, staff and work in a team environment where collaboration and accountability were essential. Irvine received a Bachelor’s degree in English at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte; a Master’s degree in Divinity, and a School Counseling degree at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

This devotional was submitted by Irvine Saint-Vilus, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.