Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84These sixty short daily reflections, each based on a verse from the Bible, will guide any believer facing serious sickness to a rock-solid trust in God. The Blumhardts, a father-son team of pastors renowned for their healing ministry, point us away from our troubles and toward a Savior who wants the best for each of us. Plough, 2016, hardcover, 192 pages. Pastor Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life, wrote this foreword to a new Plough book, The God Who Heals: Words of Hope for a Time of Sickness, by Johann Christoph Blum- hardt and Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt. A t s om e p oi n t i n l i f e , every person will experience suffering, pain, and, eventually, death. It’s inevitable. When it happens, how are we going to respond? Many of us, even Christians, struggle with God’s purpose when we are suddenly faced with a serious illness or terminal diagnosis. Our first response is to turn to God, asking him to spare us from the suffering. But what if his answer is not to heal us immediately but to perfect us through the suffering? Such a season can test our faith. But if we can surrender our will to his, through that pain God can deepen our faith, heal our soul, and restore our joy. In their book, The God Who Heals, the Blumhardts remind us that physical healing is not God’s greatest answer to prayer. True healing is trusting God even when we lack understanding. It’s believing in the promises written in his Word, which renews our mind and lifts our spirit even as our body is failing. It’s not giving in to our fears. It’s about giving ourselves completely to Jesus. Whatever circumstance you are facing right now, this book of daily readings will help you focus on a closer relationship with Jesus, our one true spiritual healer. When you go through deep valleys, God is there with you, walking alongside as you experience suffering. He knows it well. He’s been there. He understands. As one who knows great pain, Jesus is our Great Comforter. In his First Letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul tells us that just as God comforts us in our troubles, so too we can comfort others. How will you respond to the pain in your life? Our faith tells us that Jesus is the source of victory even in the midst of suffering. That’s because God doesn’t waste a hurt. He can use that pain to direct us in the way he wants us to go, to reveal what’s inside of us, to perfect us, and to make us more like himself. He is the Great Physician who specializes in bringing blessing out of pain. Open up your life completely to him and get to know Jesus more intimately. Soak in these “words of hope for a time of sickness” by the Blumhardts and find healing strength for your soul. Hide God’s word in your heart, surrender your will, and trust in God’s promises. He will carry you through to eternity. You have his Word on it! The God Who Heals R I C K W A R R E N R        Plough Quarterly • Summer  