My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health [medicine] to all their flesh. — PROVERBS 4:20-22
A marginal note in a good reference Bible will show that the last phrase of the above text can read “and medicine to all their flesh.” This means that God has “prescribed” His words for our healing and for our health!
But medicine, even in the natural, won’t do any good unless you take it according to directions. You could go to a doctor, get a prescription, have it filled, take it home, set it on your bedside table — and still grow steadily worse! You could call the doctor and complain, “I don’t understand it. I paid good money for this prescription, but I’m getting worse.” The doctor might ask, “Are you taking your medicine according to the directions?” “Well, no, but I’ve got it right here in the bottle at my bedside.” The medicine won’t work just because it’s in the bottle. You’ve got to get it in you!
And God’s medicine (your Bible) won’t work just because you have it on your bedside table. But it will work if you’ll get it down on the inside of you — into your heart, or spirit. And not just by reading it and forgetting it; but by meditating upon it until it becomes a part of your inward.
Confession:
I hide God’s words in the midst of my heart. They are life to me. They are medicine to my flesh!
