Testimonies Blog

I was born afflicted and was not expected to live. For thirty-five years I knew not what it was to draw one healthy, normal breath, and often I would ask God why it was I had to suffer so. He answered, “That I may show my power though thee.” I said, “Lord, if it is so, I want to submit to thy will.” In one year I went to the hospital five times and each time was at the point of death. I had chronic neuralgia of the heart, chronic catarrh of
the whole system, kidney and female trouble. I nearly lost the sight of my eyes. They were weak all my life, necessitating an operation when I was a child and the wearing of glasses for years. We had the very best physicians and surgeons all the time, but it seemed they could do nothing for me.  Finally they told me that an operation might give me a chance to recover. Now, I did not think I could survive an operation, but told the Lord that if that was the way he would take me home, I was willing, but that if he had any other way or better plans for me, to let me know. I said, “Lord, I know that thou canst heal me without an operation if thou so wish, because thy Word says, `Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever,’ and that they that trust in thee shall not
come to shame.” And in my sufferings I just rested in the Lord. I had never heard the truth in its fullness preached and had not yet found the true saints of God; but while the people around me were waiting for me to die, God sent two of his true gospel preachers to see me (Brothers Kriebel and Crose). I told them I knew God had sent them. They said they would have prayer for me.

A few days later I was taken out of the hospital and sent to Oakland. I had asked God to guide me, so I was just waiting on him. One day when I was again at the point of death, God spoke to me to send for Brother Crose. He came the next day. In answer to prayer I was able to be out of bed. Brother C. anointed me in Jesus’ name and prayed the prayer of faith. I had assurance that the prayer was heard. I was able to be out of bed
at times, but my sufferings now were more intense than before, and I felt that God had entirely forsaken me. I felt he was somewhere, but oh so far away. In the meantime the powers of darkness had hold of me and seemed to be tearing me to pieces. I not only suffered, but also was in awful agony, which lasted many nights and days. You see I had to get the lesson out of this that God had intended for me. Besides that, I had run away from the Lord, and I needed a severe chastening. God stood by me, and strengthened me, although I did not know it at the time.

One day the feeling came over me that God was thinking about me, and I cried out, “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” Then I was brought to the Oakland assembly January 1910, and was anointed by Brother Byers. Brothers Kriebel and Holcomb laid their hands on me and called upon God to touch my body. I felt no different for the time being, but my trust was in the Lord, and I was willing to take the
healing just the way God saw fit to give it to me. I felt assured that the prayers were before the throne of God. The same night I felt Jesus come to my bedside and lay his hand gently on my head, and then I felt the power of God go through my whole
body. I cried out, “Lord Jesus, I am not worthy of all this.” I could see something like rain come down from heaven, all the colors of the rainbow, only clearer and brighter. I could scarcely find words to express my gratitude. It seemed I had just risen from the dead. I commenced to see things clearly around me and to realize that God had really healed me of all my afflictions. It all seemed too good to be true but praise the Lord, it was just so. I began to grow stronger, have a better appetite, and I was again able gradually to take up the duties of life.    – Marie Spaulding

Excerpt from “200 Genuine Instances of Divine Healing” by By A. L. Byers