Day 138
Proverbs 3:8
"It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones."
The book of Proverbs contains wise sayings for many areas of life. One of the areas covered is physical health. Because we see this book as a spiritual book, we have not recognized the medical value in it. Many statements in this collection of wise sayings give us a connection between spiritual and physical well-being. • Proverbs 3:8 reveals the natural, physical effect verses one through seven have on our body.
The verses preceding the eighth verse in the third chapter of Proverbs are not just for spiritual benefit. They literally affect our physical well-being. Verses one and two encourage us to be faithful to God's Word and receive long life as a result. We will live longer, with less stress, if we continually remember and keep the Word of God. The third and fourth verses tell us the results of operating in mercy and truth. If we live closely with mercy and truth, our lives would be less stressful, because we will be highly favored and esteemed by God and man.
Verses five and six advise us to put God first in our decision making. When we trust and are confident in God, leaning and relying fully on Him, instead of our own understanding, we will make better decisions. As we acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will direct our steps. Again, we will relieve ourselves of stress, which has a negative affect on our physical health.
The seventh verse tells us not to think we are smarter than we really are. It admonishes us to reverently fear and worship the Lord. If we follow that advice, we will stay away from evil and experience positive results in our entire body.
Let us realize that spiritual things affect our physical health. Let us use that knowledge to motivate us to be more diligent to live reverently in respect to God and His Word.
I will increase my reverence for God and His Word. I will be healthier.