“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” – 3 John 2
Sickness, suffering, and death are work of an antagonistic power. Satan is the destroyer; God is the Restorer.
The words spoken to Israel are true today of those who recover health of body or health of soul: “I am the Lord that healeth thee.”
The desire of God for every human being is expressed in the words, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
He it is who “forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies.” (1)
Sin brings physical and spiritual disease and weakness. Christ has made it possible for us to free ourselves from this curse. The Lord promises, by the medium of truth, to renovate the soul. The Holy Spirit will make all who are willing to be educated able to communicate the truth with power. It will renew every organ of the body, that God’s servants may work acceptably and successfully. Vitality increases under the influence of the Spirit’s action. Let us, then, by this power lift ourselves into a higher, holier atmosphere, that we may do well our appointed work. (2)
The religion of the Bible is not detrimental to the health of the body or of the mind. The influence of the Spirit of God is the very best medicine that can be received by a sick man or woman. Heaven is all health; and the more deeply the heavenly influences are realized, the more sure will be the recovery of the believing invalid. (3)
God’s healing power runs all through nature. If a human being cuts his flesh or breaks a bone, nature at once begins to heal the injury, and thus preserve the man’s life. But man can place himself in a position where nature is trammeled so that she cannot do her work…. If tobacco is used, … the healing power of nature is weakened to a greater or less extent…. When intoxicating liquor is used, the system is not able to resist disease in its original God-given power as a healer. It is God who has made the provision that nature shall work to restore the exhausted powers. The power is of God. He is the Great Healer. (4)
Charge for the Day: Consider the following from above, “The Holy Spirit will make all who are willing to be educated able to communicate the truth with power.” How can you share the truth that Christ sets us free from the curse of sin with someone today?
1. Counsels on Health, p. 168
2. The Review and Herald, January 14, 1902
3. Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 172
4. Letter 77, 1899