What a health-conscious culture we live in! You cannot watch TV, read magazines, and see advertising on signs without getting some “health” message. At times it is obnoxious! Lose weight, exercise, take supplements, join this diet program, take this drug, get this surgery, buy this exercise equipment, and join this spa or gym. It’s non-stop. And of course if you do all that you will be hot and sexy and attractive to the opposite sex. Maybe you might get physically healthier, too.
People who have serious health conditions are often handicapped and are unable to comply with all of these health messages. Maybe their lifestyles contributed to their poor health, while others may have inherited their problems or possibly were involved in accidents—or war. The scripture reminds us that we have “this treasure [Christ] in jars of clay…” (2 Corinthians 4:7)
I have health problems. But, one day, during a time I was talking with the Lord, He said this to me: “Praise Me for health!” Now, it was not an audible voice, but it was very clear nevertheless. At first I thought He was saying that I should practice verbalizing, “praise” to Him for the health He was going to give me, or perhaps as an exercise of positive speaking to obtain that health. A “faith” statement repeated over and over. Gradually I realized that this was not what he was saying.
This statement reminded me of my brother, Chuck, during a crisis of his faith. He wrote to me and asked me was God so vain that He needed to be praised all the time. The question startled me as I had never had such a thought or heard anyone ever express such a question. I wrote back to him with the best explanation that I had to offer at that time. This included the thought that God is worthy of our praise all of the time regardless of what was going on in our lives.
Many years later, I heard God speak to me the above instruction: “Praise Me for health.” Then I understood. God was saying, “In the past you have spent time in the gym working out for your health. You have paid attention to what you are eating for your health. Now praise Me for your health.” I saw that behind God’s instructions to praise Him was His concern for our welfare—and health. It wasn’t just so He could receive our praises for Himself. Rather, praising Him is actually a good exercise for our health. As we see Him, love Him, put Him first and get our focus off ourselves and our problems, we will praise Him. As we focus on who He is and what He has done through Christ, we are changed into healthier persons.
Praise God for health!!
