From: "Jeanette" <Jeanette@truthsearcher.co.uk>

Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2000 08:16:21

To: <WalterMartin@mail.serve.com>

Subject: WM: RE: Word Faith teaching

>Jeannette asks:

>>What if God wants to say no?

>

>Dave asks:

Say no to what? His promises in His Word? If we can't trust what God says in His Word, what can we trust in then? Please read I Kings 8:56; II Cor.1:20. God cannot lie. It's not in His nature. So we just have to trust Him. See Isaiah 53:5 and Matthew 8:16-17

Does God always heal? Does God always remove troubles in the Bible? Of course God cannot lie, of course God's promises are trustworthy. But what if He says "No, I don't want to remove that "thorn in the flesh" in this life - but my grace is sufficient for you"?

What of those who have seriously believed God for healing, and have died anyway? I have seen numerous occasions in the media where believing men of God have stated publicly that since they have prayed for healing, and since they are trusting in God's promises, then they will be healed - then they died of the illness. What? Did they not have faith? Or did God simply say "I'd rather have you home".?

Let me share with you something - I was healed once - quite miraculously. I was at death's door, and many people on this list know the story already. It had nothing to do with my faith, because I was unconscious at the time, and it was others' prayers that went up to God, and God answered. The surgeon said there was no way, without God's intervention that I should have made it. I praise God for that still, and thank Him that He chose, on that occasion, to do a miracle! There have been other times when I have asked God for healings, and He has said no. Not yet. Not in this life. Do I argue with the sovereignty of God? Do I stomp my feet and say "but you promised"!!!!! Where did He promise that every prayer of mine would receive a "Yes", in this life? Where did He promise that every sickness would be healed? Paul obviously had a problem that God did not remove because it was better for Paul that he learn from it. Timothy was told to take a little wine for his stomach - I don't recall the elders laying hands on him for healing though?

Yes, God is faithful. No, God cannot lie. Yes, God is sovereign and when we pray to Him, like a child to a father, we better be sure we come to Him knowing that He has the absolute right to say either yea or nay, in His own good wisdom. And imo, it takes as much faith to believe in God when He says no, (if not more so!) than when we demand He does something and He says yes!

We *will* all be healed, in heaven, but I don't see anywhere that promises such things before then.

Jeanette:-)