The Bible says " truly righteous man attains life "

A BIBLICAL HEALTH PLAN

We sometimes think that God is some sort of an old meanie sitting up in the heavens. For his pastime he makes up a bunch of rules that take all the fun out of life. However, in Deuteronomy 10:13, we see something very different and revealing. We are told that all God's laws are given for our own good. God's laws guard, preserve and shelter our lives. After all, God not only made the world but he made us. He is intimately acquainted with all the intricacies of our physical bodies. He certainly knows what is best for us.

Consider obedience to our parents. In Proverbs 30:17, we are told that "The eye that mocks a father, that scorns obedience to a mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures" (Prov. 30:17). Not so healthy! On the other hand, in Ephesians 6:2-3 we read: "Honor your father and mother” which is the first commandment with a promise "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." There is something about honoring parents that causes things to go well for us and also causes our lives to be extended. Those who fail to honor parents will likely fail to honor and respect other authorities. In some cases, such people may run amok of the authorities and find themselves severely punished or even killed.

In Proverbs 11:19, we read that "The truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death." In Proverbs 3:8, we read that if we fear God and depart from evil it will be health to our flesh and strength to our bones. The Bible also says that God's words will bring life and health to our whole bodies (Prov. 4:22). We thus see that righteousness is better for us than oat-bran muffins. Again, in Proverbs 3:2, we are told that keeping God's commands will add long life and peace to us. Also, they will give us "life, prosperity and honor." (Prov. 21:21). God even adds wealth and riches to the other blessings we may already have (Psa. 112:3).

Many today are involved in all sorts of exercise programs for the sake of their health. Yet in 1 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV) we read: "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come." With all its sweat and exertion, bodily exercise only profit's a little, while the exercise of a Godly and righteous life profits a lot. Godliness is healthy.

Now someone will remember a mean old man who lived to be a hundred. Another may remember a righteous person who died young. Sometimes it's God's merciful plan to extend the life of a wicked person or to take a righteous person at a young age for his purposes as he did in the case of Stephen. However, the righteous tend to live longer. That is the rule. The righteous also tend to be happier. They have continual joy in their hearts because of the Lord. The Bible says in Proverbs 17:22: "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

LIFE ABUNDANTLY

In John 10:10, Jesus says of his sheep, "... I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." To believe in the Lord Jesus and follow him in simple obedience to his word will tend to make us happy, healthy, blessed and beautiful in this life. It will also give us eternal life in the world hereafter.

Does this mean that the righteous person will never have problems? They are virtually guaranteed. In Psalm 34:19 we read: "A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all..."

Through all life's difficulties the Lord is standing by to restore our souls in times of adversity. He even sets a table before us in the very presence of our enemies (Psa. 23:5). He makes our cup run over.


God Bless you all..