Proverbs 4:21

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about healthy living:

Proverbs 4:22 (NASBStr)

For they are life to those who find them

And health to all their body.

Proverbs 4:22 (ESV)

For they are life to those who find them,

and healing to all their flesh.

Our society is fixated on health.  We have health food stores, health fitness centers, health legislative initiatives and politicians who want to legislate what we eat and drink.   Our health costs are so out of whack no one really knows what to do despite the laws enacted to demand we eat better, exercise more and party less.   Yet, in two simple lines of Hebrew poetry Solomon solves all the heath debate of an entire country.  He tells us if we will but follow God's Word we will have life and health to "all" our body.  Wouldn't it be great if a Senator or Congressmen from the House, who might be a believer, stood on the floor of their respected chambers and proposed legislation to demand that everyone MUST follow God's Word, as a solution to our health costs and concerns in our country?   You of course wouldn't have any more compliance to the "law" than the nation of Israel did with Moses' law, but the point Solomon is making is that if we will but obey God's Word we can be assured we will have the wisdom to make the right choices with our freedom to stay healthy and we would have the power to do so.  God promises wisdom and understanding when we, by faith, obey His Word.   He also promises that that Word in our hearts will empower us to make healthy choices and walk the right path.   That brings health to the body.   God wants us to realize we have God's blessing when we have God's Word in our hearts. This doesn't mean we won't have suffering, heartache and pain (ask Job!).  It does mean, during the pain we will have the healing hand of God's grace.  In the above text Solomon knows pain. No doubt he heard the story of his mom's baby (child of David and Bathsheba's adultery) dying right after birth. But those who trust and obey God's Word can rejoice in the fact that God's Word brings us God's grace.   God's grace brings healing in the times of suffering.