Category: Devotional Thoughts

Be Ye Healthy! But Why?

There are many different reasons the world gives for wanting to live and be healthy—to take care of our children, look younger, live longer, be smarter, accomplish more—but what reasons does Scripture give for inviting us to live healthfully?  What reasons does God give for calling us to a “holy” life in body, mind, and spirit?

 “I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from the nations. You must therefore make a distinction between clean and unclean animals and between unclean and clean birds. Do not defile yourselves by any animal or bird or anything that moves along the ground—those that I have set apart as unclean for you.” Leviticus 20:24, 25.

What reasons does God give?  What does God NOT give? He could have explained that they would live longer, or he could have pointed out how they were more likely to cause disease, but what reasons DOES he give?  “I am the Lord thy God…, therefore…”

“Designate a place outside the camp where you can go to relieve yourself… For the LORD your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that he will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you.” Deuteronomy 23:12, 14.

God ties our choices for health, closely to our relationship with Him! “I am the Lord thy God…, therefore.”  “The Lord your God walks…, therefore.”

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9.

Our choices are not made JUST because of health reasons but to shew forth the praises of Him who has made and is ONLY able to remake us inside and out.

“If any man will follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” God doesn’t just want our bodies, he wants our lives, surrendered, offered on His alter.  It’s not just about health, it’s about surrendering our will, taking up our cross and following after He who knows our very being and offers us every good thing.  By our choices to restrain we demonstrate our trust and dependence on His provision of “every good and perfect thing” (James 1:17).

What are your thoughts?  Why do we choose to live (or not live) healthy holy lives?  What are some good or not so good reasons?

The sick must be helped by others (HMS Richards)

I thought this devotional from HMS Richards captured some of what I hoped to “explore” with holistic health knowledge management for those who are “poor” and “forgotten” medically, allowing others to “suggest remedies,” showing Christian kindness, and pointing them to their true Nurse, Attendant, and Health Coach.

In the most ancient timesFrom The Promises of God by HMS Richards, pg 244.

August 26

The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness (Ps. 41:3).

Remember, this promise is made to the person who considers the poor, as we read in the first verse of this psalm. Am I one of these? If so, then I may take home this text as my own promise.

In the most ancient times it was the custom to exhibit the sick in public places so that benevolent persons, or those who had suffered from the same disease or had cared for such, might suggest a remedy. It was in this way, we are told, that the science of medicine had its beginning.

 The sick must be helped by others. Disease brings that equality that death completes. Distinctions then are set aside. One person is not above another in the sickroom. There is no place for gaiety, human glory,or wit. Even the reason is sometimes clouded. Here the highest and brightest mortals find nothing left but weakness and pain.

How wonderful at such a time to have loving friends with their kind and tender ministrations, especially a Christian physician with a blessed ministry, than which there can be no greater comfort.

But above and beyond all this is the wonderful promise that God will be our nurse and attendant. How relaxing and restful it is to poor patients to have the bed remade, smoothed, and properly prepared for their aching body!

Notice the promise that the Lord will “make all his bed in his sickness.” Divine grace, divine love—these are the best stimulants and medicines. As someone has said: “There is no physician like the Lord, no tonic like His promise, no wine like His love.”

But have we done our duty to the poor? If not, let us hasten about it, for we need this promise of God in our treasury.

MEDITATION PRAYER: “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me” (Ps. 119:50).

From another angle, Ellen White, when talking about the reality that many of us who struggle with health issues can feel lost, not knowing what course to pursue, or how to live uprightly, she says:

“Let the perplexed ones search out others who are in perplexity, and speak to them words of hope and encouragement.  When they begin to do this work, the light of heaven will reveal to them the path that they should follow. By their words of consolation to the afflicted they themselves will be consoled. By helping others, they themselves will be helped out of their difficulties.” Manuscript 116, 1902 (quote from The Medical Missionary Manual)

Sounds a lot like Isaiah 58 where God promises to heal and guide those who “deal their bread to the hungry, provide shelter for the poor, cloth the naked, and [help those who have similar health, wealth or life struggles as you].  Then your light will shine forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear!” (Isa 58:7-8).  Direct quote honest! Okay maybe adapted.  Isaiah 58 is encouraging though.  Vs 9 goes on “Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.”  And vs 11 DOES talk about guidance “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.”  WOW that’s what I need!  Guidance, satisfied needs in my [insert crazy health issues] scorched situation, a strengthened frame?  Sign me up.

Now what were the requirements again?  Now there’s the more difficult part.  Homeless guys can carry disease, and talk about dust mite allergies (I better not go near that guys laundry), or keeping a clean house/car?  My bathroom would smell for weeks if I give that guy the bath he REALLY needs! And most of the minor chains, cords, low paid workers I know around me would require me to sacrifice my prized comfort, emotional peace, or relational standing, and that can hurt! Honest.

“And if you give yourself to the hungry
And satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in darkness
And your gloom will become like midday.”

Okay so that’s what you’re talking about!  Me being willing to give up on making ME the prime focus.  Ouch, not feeling quite so “jumpy” at that approach.  I was the one needing healing, Right…?  Maybe there’s more that needs healing than just my gut/brain/nerves/joints/…

Christ gave for me, may I be willing to…  lower the rent for my annoying roommate who currently isn’t even speaking to me?  grrr…  Let me wait on this one. 🙁  “And the rich young ruler went away sad because he had great wealth.”  God forbid.