He Took Our Infirmities and Bore Our Sicknesses

by Gene Easley

  The following testimony by a pastor's wife was and has been over the years a tremendous encouragement and strength to me, both in 1965 when I first sat under the ministry of Rev. and Mrs. L. G. Gilmore, pastors of First Assembly of God in Tucson, Arizona, and later as I related it to others.  The healing event took place several years before I knew the Gilmores, yet the power of her testimony deeply affected all who heard it from the lips of Sis. Gilmore.

Sis. Gilmore lay dying, her body suffering from the last stages of tuberculosis. The medical profession had done all that was possible at that time.  Every preacher who passed through that part of the country had prayed for her.  Evangelist after evangelist laid hands on her and prayed that God would heal.  Yet, Sister Gilmore only became worse.

This happened in the days when doctors still made house calls.  Again and again he came to visit the sick.  One day her physician came by to check on her one more time.  That day he looked at this devoted saint of God and made a statement that would cut to the depths of her soul.  He said, "I am sorry, but I am not coming back again.  I am just taking your money, but I cannot do anything more to help you.  You are going to die."

The doctor's words were almost unbearable.  As he walked out the door, Sister Gilmore reached once again for her Bible.  As she turned to Matthew 8:17, she began to read: "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses."  Sis. Gilmore testified that, as she read those words, they almost jumped out at her.  The Spirit of God illuminated that verse of Scripture to her heart in such a way that she realized that God was speaking directly to her.  She knew that it was her infirmity that He took and her sickness that He bore.

Sister Gilmore's faith took hold of those words, and, instantly, she knew she was healed.  Revelation flooded her heart.  Now, it didn't matter what the doctor had said; she knew she was healed!  Praise God!  In a few days she was up and around, and, in a very short time, she was completely healed of that horrible disease.

Sister Gilmore lived for many years after that experience, and she had a very active ministry, traveling with her husband to many parts of the world preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  She even outlived the doctor who told her she would die and attended his funeral.  She then lived many more years. 

One cannot criticize that doctor for stating that he knew he had reached his limitations.  Medical doctors can do much good and help many who are ill, but men and women--even professionals in medicine--have their limits.  The doctor was being honest.  He could do no more.

But thank God that Christ has no limits or boundary beyond which He can reach.  He can do anything, and He can heal any infirmity that plagues mankind.  When we reach out to Christ in faith believing, we, too, can experience that healing power!  Praise God!

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