CW 769: Your Hand, O Lord, in Days of Old
The Scripture readings for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost focus on the truth that our Lord is the Great Physician who gives health and healing to his people. Sickness, disease, and suffering are all part of life on this earth, but they were never part of God’s plan for us. Sickness and disease are consequences of sin. When Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil they disobeyed God’s command and brought sin into this world. All creation suffers and groans under the curse of sin. Because of sin, our bodies don’t function in the perfect way that God intended. We know what it is like to feel pain. We get sick and hurt and as we age our bodies gradually break down.
None of this is according to God’s plan. God wanted us to live forever in the perfection of a sinless world. When Adam and Eve sinned, he could have destroyed this world and started over. Instead, he promised to send a Savior who would rescue humanity from the curse of sin. God loved us so much that he fulfilled this promise by sending his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, into this world to suffer and die for the sins of the world. God continues to show love and compassion to us by caring for our physical needs as well. When we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we are asking God to take care of our physical needs. This includes the health of our bodies. We pray to God in times of sickness to give us health and healing. God promises to be with us every day of our lives and give us healing and comfort. Sometimes this healing is granted in the life, and sometimes God grants healing in the eternity of heaven where there is no more sickness or pain.
Verse 1: Your hand, O Lord, in days of old was strong to heal and save; it triumphed over pain and death, o’er darkness and the grave. To you they came, the blind, the mute, the paralyzed and lame, the lepers in their misery, the sick with fevered frame.
The Old Testament is full of God’s promises about the Messiah. One of these promises is that the Messiah would heal the sick and give sight to the blind. Isaiah 35:5-6 promises, “Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unplugged. The crippled will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy.” This is exactly what Jesus did during his earthly ministry. He healed the sick and gave sight to the blind. Jesus showed perfect love and compassion to those who needed his love and care. Our hymn this week reminds us of Jesus’s perfect love and compassion. In the same way, our Savior continues to watch over us when we are afflicted with pain and disease. During these times of trial, we can cling to the love and promises of our compassionate Savior.
Verse 2: Your touch then, Lord, brought life and health, gave speech and strength and sight; and youth renewed and frenzy calmed revealed you, Lord of light. And now, O Lord, be near to bless, almighty as before, in crowded street, by beds of pain, as by Gennes’ret’s shore.
Our Gospel this week from Mark chapter 7 tells us of one instance when Jesus restored the hearing of a deaf man. As Jesus went from town to town in the region of Galilee large crowds of people followed him hoping that he would touch them and heal them. Jesus willingly healed these people, but this was not his only goal. He used these occasions to teach the people about the kingdom of God. Jesus healed the sick to fulfill the promises of God and to show mercy and compassion to those who desperately needed it. But this was not the main reason that Jesus came to this world. Jesus came to fulfill a far greater purpose. He came to remove the sickness of sin. By his death on the cross, Jesus removed the curse of sin. He washed us with his holy precious blood and restored our status as beloved children of God. By faith in him, we are healed of our sins and given the certainty of eternity in heaven with our Lord.
Verse 3: O be our great deliv’rer still, the Lord of life and death; restore and quicken, soothe and bless, with your life-giving breath. To hands that work and eyes that see give wisdom’s healing pow’r that whole and sick and weak and strong may praise you evermore.
When we are sick or hurt, we can be tempted to feel that God has forgotten us. We may even be tempted to believe that God is punishing us for our sins. Neither of these things is true. God is with us every day of our lives. He is watching over us and protecting us. God does not punish us for our sins because he punished Christ on the cross. Our sins have been fully forgiven by the blood of Jesus. In our times of sickness, we cling to the promises of God knowing that he will watch over us. We take comfort in knowing that the burdens of this life are temporary and that the glory of eternal life in heaven waits for those who trust in Christ.
Your Hand, O Lord, in Days of Old, is a beautiful hymn that reminds us of the love and compassion of our God. Christ showed love and compassion to countless people as he healed and comforted them during his earthly ministry. Jesus continues to watch over us when we suffer from sickness and disease. God has given us the blessings of doctors and modern medicines that offer comfort and relief. When we face times of sickness we cling to the promises of God and know that he is always by our side. Just as Christ healed the sick according to his will, we know that God will give us healing if it is his will. Sickness and suffering help us to put our trust in God and remember that he is the one who grants healing and comfort.