HEALTHY BODY AND STRONG BONES

“It will be HEALTH to your FLESH, and STRENGTH to your BONES” – Proverbs 3:8

God’s Word guarantees a HEALTHY BODY and STRONG BONES to whoever trusts and fears Him: “It will be HEALTH to your FLESH, and STRENGTH to your BONES” (Pro.3:8). There are other interesting versions of this verse of Scripture:

• “This will bring health to your body and NOURISHMENT to your bones” (New International Version).

• “It will be healing to your flesh and REFRESHMENT to your bones” (English Standard Version)

• “Then your BODY with be HEALTHY and your bones STRENGTHENED” (Common English Bible)

• “It will be health to your body [your marrow, your nerves, your sinews, your muscles – all your inner parts] and REFRESHMENT (physical well-being) to your bones” (Amplified)

This verse derives its meaning from earlier three verses: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil” (vv.5-7). These speak of: trusting God totally; acknowledging Him absolutely; and allowing His fear to direct our decisions and actions. These are the things that will make for healing in our bodies and refreshment to our bones. It is beneficial to our general health and well-being, to walk in wisdom and in the fear of God. Doing these things leads us to turning away from evil – and steering clear of evil is what we should aspire to do each and every day of our lives.

Beyond regular medical routines and use of medicines, what will encourage the boon to our health are: not being wise in our own eyes, having the reverential fear of God, and turning away from evil. God's Word is audacious enough to make such bold affirmations, because there is much to gain from walking in wisdom and the fear of God! The chief benefit of walking in wisdom and the fear of God is that we walk in PEACE: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil.4:7). This peace is far more valuable than the transient peace that the world offers (Jh.14:27; 16:33). The world's peace lasts as long as we have material goods or enjoy the good fortune to not have troubles and trials, which the world is full of! God's peace is strong and secure, no matter what our circumstances are!

Peace in the body and bones is however hinged on peace in the heart and mind: “A SOUND HEART is life to the body, but envy is ROTTENNESS to the BONES” (Pro.14:30). Also, “A MERRY HEART does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones” (Pro.17:22). That’s why we are admonished: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Pro.4:23). The earlier verses affirm the truth that God’s Word is our Source of Sustainable Health: “My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and HEALTH to all their FLESH” (Pro.4:20-22).

Sin, on the other hand, is devastating to mental and physical well-being. For example, when David veered into sin, he groaned under the weight of guilt and shame. He spoke of how his bones were drying up and his health was failing: “For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my BONES WASTE AWAY” (Psa.31:10). God's wisdom always yields amazing results when we choose to walk in it rather than in the stubbornness of our own hearts. Truly, we’ll enjoy health in our bodies and refreshment in our bones when we do so.

As we noted in yesterday’s devotional, God's Law in the Old Testament presents a holistic system for good hygiene, and proper nutritional and positive sexual habits, which if observed, would keep us from disease and live in optimal health and well-being.