My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings… For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. - Proverbs 4:20-22 (AMPC)
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God’s Medicine Chest
The Holy Spirit Works Through the Power in God’s Word to Set You Free
Scripture
Did you know that God’s Word is medicine for your soul? It is the only thing that can get inside of your mind and emotions and heal them.
Psalm 107:20 says, He sends forth His word and heals them and rescues them from the pit and destruction (AMPC).
Proverbs 4:20-22 says, 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 to those that find them, and health to all their flesh (AMPC).
In Verse 22 above, the Hebrew word for health is “medicine.” God’s Word is literally medicine for our lives! That’s why I like to call it our “spiritual medicine chest.” Just like we would go to our medicine cabinet at home to get a bandage or ointment for a physical need, we can open up God’s medicine chest—the Bible—and receive help with all of our spiritual needs.
Let me give you an example. Over the years, I have sought God’s help many times when it comes to my mouth and the things I say. I have a Type A personality, and I could be pretty direct and to-the-point, not always realizing how my words affected others around me.
Sure, there were other areas of my life where I needed help, but this is one really required some special focus. I was critical and judgmental. I talked too much, and I talked about things I probably shouldn’t have.
I needed to find out what the Bible has to say about the words of my mouth. So, I used a concordance to find every instance in the Bible that references the “mouth,” or “words,” or the “tongue.” Once I located the scriptures in my concordance, I looked them up in my Bible to discover what each verse had to say. Then I wrote down each scripture in a notebook.
My goal was to plant God’s Word deep on the inside of me so I could recall these scriptures whenever I needed help with my words. Keeping them in a notebook or saving them on a computer is a great idea because then we can go back anytime and refresh ourselves in that area of study.
If there’s a specific scripture that is really helping you, you may even try memorizing it. The more you meditate on the Word—the more you think about it and roll it over and over in your mind—the more understanding and help you will receive in your life (Mark 4:24)!
For instance, let’s say someone has been abused and has a root of anger in their life that is harming all of their relationships and even affecting their job. Even though they try to control their anger, they inevitably explode at the slightest provocation. Although they can’t go to the doctor and get medicine for anger, there is medicine available in God’s Word!
In fact, I have researched and found 131 Bible verses about anger in the King James Version of the Bible. These verses instruct us to not be angry, to control our anger, to refrain from anger, and the list goes on. You may think, Well, I know that—it’s what I’ve been trying to do. However, the difference is that the Holy Spirit (your Helper) works through the power in God’s Word to set you free.
If a person dealing with anger continues to study what the Word says, it will change them from the inside out and help them get to the root of their anger. God’s Word is the truth, and it’s the truth that will make us free (John 8:32). Remember, God’s Word isn’t just another good book. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that His Word is “alive,” and it has the power to change us and heal every single area of our lives.
So, I ask you today: What kind of healing do you need today from God’s Word?
Prayer
God, thank You for loving me right where I am today. And thank You for directing me to the scriptures I need to study. Help me to develop a habit of always seeking Your Word for help. I know that Your Word is good medicine and I’m getting better every day! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Study Lab
Today’s Study Lab will help you put today’s teaching into practice immediately. Get ready to take some medicine!
Take a few moments to identify at least one or two specific needs in your own life. For example, maybe you are battling fear in a specific area, or perhaps you desire to have a greater understanding of God’s love for you.
Next, apply God’s Words to your needs! Look up verses in the Bible to discover what God has to say about your areas of need. This is a great opportunity for you to use your concordance to locate specific topics.
As you dig into God’s medicine chest and find scriptures that apply, I encourage you to write them down and keep them with your study materials or a place where you read them often. Pray and ask God to let His Word sink deep in your heart. Remember, God’s Word is alive, and it as the power to change the way you think and see God, yourself, and others!