An Appointment with the Great Physician

Doctors are a blessing and are used by God to help people. Their skill saves lives, delivers babies, and stabilizes bodies. Many of us wouldn’t be around if not for them! But as helpful as they are, doctors aren’t perfect. They’re limited in skill and knowledge because they’re human. They may not choose to acknowledge it, but even what they can do and understand depends on the assistance of the Great—and the Greatest—Physician.

… “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you” (Exodus 15:26, NKJV)

Jehovah Raphe, the Hebrew name for “the Lord who heals you,” knows far more than any earthly doctor could. Why? Because He was the One who made us. As the Designer of every part of us, He knows how to make us and how to fix us.

My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them (Psalm 139:15-16, NKJV).

Because God is all-powerful and all-knowing, He operates differently than an earthly doctor. His practice contains benefits that only He can provide. We would never go wrong recommending His practice!

His Services are Free

 Earthly doctors can be expensive. And why not? They spent years training, studying the body, how it works, and how to treat it. But as skilled as God is, He doesn’t charge a penny. Jesus paid for every “doctor’s appointment” and “treatment” we may need. He didn’t just provide a discount; He paid every bill with His own life!

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.  But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:4-5, NKJV).

He Never Misdiagnoses

 While earthly doctors could misdiagnose a problem, God never does. He knows all things, so His insight is without flaw. He’s aware of every detail yet is not intimidated because He knows His skill is greater than the problem.

If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything (1 John 3:20, NLT).

He Provides Infallible Treatment

 No matter how many degrees an earthly doctor may have, there is always room for human error. But the Great Physician has complete knowledge and understanding that will ensure only accuracy. His “medication” or “surgery” will always fulfill its purpose without side effects!

As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him (Psalm 18:30, NKJV).

He’s Punctual and Reliable

 Doctors may do their best to be punctual and reliable in their timing. But their schedules can still be interrupted by traffic jams, family emergencies, or patients who insist on being late. God, however, isn’t waylaid by uncertain people and events. He is always on time to meet with us and treat us. He’s so reliable that we never need to worry that He’ll reschedule, double-book an appointment, or make us wait indefinitely in the waiting room.

God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? (Numbers 23:19, NLT)

He Provides Friendly and Caring Service

 There’s nothing worse than going to a doctor’s appointment with poor customer service. If we’re going through an emergency, a snappy receptionist’s frown only worsens things. But this will never happen at an appointment with our Great Physician. He is always smiling with an attitude of perfect compassion.

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23, NKJV).

His Appointments Last Forever

 Though we may have to leave the presence of our doctor to go home, God never leaves our side. He is always present, giving us insight and instruction to sustain us. Regardless of where we are, He never stops His treatment but continues until the healing process is complete.

“…lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” Amen (Matthew 28:20a).

He Always Answers Our Call

 A doctor’s office may not answer right away, or maybe not at all. They may be swamped with other calls, short-staffed, or out to lunch. God, on the other hand, will always answer. He’s always by the phone, ready to answer every call every time we dial His number.

‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know’ (Jeremiah 33:3, NKJV).

He Provides 24-Hour Service

 Most doctor’s offices have an eight-to-five, Monday-Friday schedule. But the Great Physician’s office is always open. He doesn’t go out to lunch and never takes a nap. He’s ready to speak with us anytime and even accepts walk-ins.

Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep (Psalm 121:4, NKJV).

He’s Been Practicing Forever

 Sometimes we look at how long a doctor has been practicing to determine if we can trust them. Any research or background check on God, however, will tell us that He has been practicing longer than the world has been in existence. He not only has the most experience as a doctor, but He also has the most experience of being God.

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God (Psalm 90:2, KJV).

He Doesn’t Change His Practice

 Doctor’s offices are known to change their business name, staff, and insurance acceptance. But God’s nature and the way He practices will never change. He’s constant—never altering His Name, character, or business method.

 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed (Malachi 3:6, NKJV).

Neglecting to include the Great Physician in our physical situations would be foolish. He knows it all and can do it all. Why wouldn’t we want to make Him our primary physician? Usually, it comes down to trust. Do we genuinely believe that He is who He says He is? Are we confident that no physical ailment is too difficult for Him to cure? We should consult and trust Him first if we have faith in Him. If He chooses to incorporate an earthly doctor into our situation, we can trust His choice. His choice for us is not motivated by money or recognition but by love and a promise He made the moment we made Him our God. With all the benefits He provides, He is the greatest Physician!