The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is sweet reward. Psalm 119: 7-11, NIV.
Gracious God, how thankful we are for these moments in study with You. Our prayer is that You will be our teacher, and open our eyes to behold wonderful things out of Your law, in the blessed name of Jesus! Amen.
Today we are continuing with our series on Law. We have come to the second half of the laws of Health. Health laws were given to us by God for our protection. We looked at three of the eight health principles, that if we followed them as God intended, we would enjoy good health; physical, mental, and spiritual. Now let us look at the other five.
Exercise. Most of us have heard the phrase, “Use it or lose it.” Well that is not just a mouthful of words, or a catchy phrase; it is the truth. We eventually lose what we do not use. Exercising, once we are cleared by our doctors, can provide innumerable blessings. The stretching exercises enhance our flexibility, and aid us against stiffness of the joints. It also helps to relieve much of the pain we experience through lack of motion. This is especially true, as we age. Exercise is very healthy for our hearts, if we are well enough to exercise. Before beginning an exercise program, be sure to consult with a certified physician.
Sufficient water (inside and out). Water, I believe I heard someone refer to it as liquid gold. I would venture to say that in many cases it is better than gold! It can surely do what gold cannot do. When used prudently, both for our outward and inward cleansing it can prove to be one of nature’s greatest blessing to the human race. Eight glasses a day has been recommended in maintaining good health. A nice cold to tepid bath, or two, a day, is helpful in getting us off to an energetic start. Washing our hands in clean water with sufficient soap is still one of the safest ways to fight against germs.
Sufficient rest. Eight hours of sleep each night is usually enough for most people. Growing children and youth need between eight to ten hours a day to help in the growth process. Insufficient rest can affect your immune system, negatively. It can also lessen your mental capacity, and rob you of the necessary energy you need to keep up with the demands of life.
Temperance.“Complete abstinence from all that is harmful, and the adequate use of what is good.” That is one of the most common definitions of temperance. Being temperate is a wise practice. Temperate people do not over-do things. They do not over-work, over-eat, or over-indulge themselves. They know when to begin and when to end. They set healthy boundaries for themselves. They know what they are capable of, and they recognize, and accept, their incapabilities. These are all direct, and indirect results of temperance.
Faith in God. At the end of the day, nothing else matters if we do not have faith in God. Who takes care of their bodies, by eating right, drinking sufficient water, exercising, breathing fresh air, getting sufficient sunshine, and being temperate? The man or woman who believe in God. What enables us, in a world that is unsafe, to lay down and rest, peacefully? The person who has faith in God. If we did everything else, but did not “know in whom [we] believed” it would avail us nothing.
God’s Health Laws were given to us as a blessing, not a restriction. They were built into a world that has been blighted by sin to give us a: NUTRITION EXERCISE WATER SUNSHINE TEMPERANCE AIR REST TRUST IN GOD (NEW START) IN LIFE! GO FOR IT!