He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” — Exodus 15:26 (NIV)
In the wilderness, after the Israelites had just experienced the miracle of crossing the Red Sea, they faced bitter water at Marah. God turned the bitter water sweet, and there He revealed Himself with a new name: Jehovah Rapha, “I am the Lord who heals you.”
This moment wasn’t just about physical water—it was a declaration of God’s character. He is not only the God who delivers from bondage, but the God who brings healing, wholeness, and restoration.
God gave a simple but powerful condition to the Israelites: listen carefully, do what is right, obey His commands, and in return, they would experience His protection and healing. While this was part of the Old Covenant, it still speaks to us today of God’s desire for relationship, obedience, and health—both spiritual and physical.
We may not always understand our pain, sickness, or the brokenness we encounter, but Exodus 15:26 reminds us that healing is part of who God is. He doesn’t just give healing—He IS healing.
Whether your need today is physical, emotional, relational, or spiritual, Jehovah Rapha is present. He sees your wounds and your worries. And while healing doesn’t always come instantly or in the way we expect, it always begins with turning to Him—listening, trusting, and obeying.
Truths to Hold Onto from Exodus 15:26:
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God’s healing flows from relationship.
The Israelites were called to listen and obey—not out of duty, but because healing begins when we align our lives with the One who created us. -
Obedience opens the door to wholeness.
Following God’s ways brings protection and peace. It may not make life easy, but it keeps us under His covering. -
God’s name is healing.
He is Jehovah Rapha—a name that hasn’t changed. The same God who healed in the wilderness heals today.
Prayer:
Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals me, I come to You today with all that is broken in my life—my body, my heart, my spirit. I trust that You are the Healer. Help me to walk in obedience to Your Word. Give me strength to listen to Your voice and follow Your path. I ask for Your healing touch in every area of my life, and I choose to trust You with the timing and the process. In Jesus’ name, amen.