Taking God’s Medicine

Following Instructions

Let’s begin by saying that it is not a lack of faith to take medicine or to go to a doctor. God uses doctors and He is not against us taking medicine.

When taking medication, it is always important to follow instructions. A doctor takes it very seriously when he prescribes medication and from what I have observed, most people are very faithful in following the doctor’s instructions.

It has become a policy with many pharmacies to give out a pamphlet along with the prescription providing more information about the medication, such as negative side effects and precautions.

One pamphlet I was reading actually begins on paragraph stating: How to Take This Medicine. It emphasizes that the medication works best when it is taken regularly at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night. You can’t just take it now and then.

If told to take one tablet three times a day for 30 days, then you should not take three tablets all at one time every other day for 30 days. You cannot reverse or alter the instructions and expect to get the same results that you would if following the instructions. It is our choice to follow or not to follow the instructions. Our choice determines the outcome.

The pamphlet then lists numerous Side Effects, some of which are quite serious. After listing the Side Effects, it then gives Precautions – if this medication is taken for an extended period of time, it may result in a secondary infection. It then states a warning about the dosage, such as, Do Not Double-up on this medication.

In other words, it is possible to over-dose on the medication and it could be fatal. If told to take one tablet three times a day for 30 days, you cannot in turn decide to take the whole dosage at one time and be done with it. You’ll be done all right! It is possible to over-dose on certain medications which could prove fatal.

Therefore, we can understand the importance of always following the doctor’s instructions when taking medication.

God’s Medicine

God also speaks to us regarding the importance of following His instructions. Sad to say, I have observed that most people are not as faithful in following God’s instructions as they are with man’s instructions. They do not take God’s instructions seriously. Too often there is more faith in man’s medicine than in God’s medicine.

…your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God – 1 Corinthians 2:5

We can choose to take God’s medicine, being just as faithful with it as we are with prescription medication. We therefore choose life and health in the Lord.

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendents may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you man obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days… – Deuteronomy 30:19-20a

In Proverbs chapter 4, we see that God’s Word is medicine to our bodies. We are given specific instructions on how we are to take His medicine.

My son, attend to My Words; consent and submit to my sayings. Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. – Proverbs 4:20-22 AMP

The Hebrew word for health means medicine. God’s Word is actually medicine to our physical bodies.

If we will take God’s medicine throughout the day and night on a regular basis, it will work to our advantage and prove to be successful in bringing health to our bodies.

4 Instructions to Taking God’s Medicine

Let’s take a closer look at God’s instructions as prescribed in Proverbs 4:20-22.

First

We are instructed to attend to God’s Word. The word attend means to pay close attention to what God is saying. Don’t just let it go in one ear and out the other. Get focused and stay focused on what the Word is saying regarding healing. We must understand that the Word is God speaking directly to us and about our situation.

When we are not focused on the Word, we will be distracted with symptoms, pain and negative reports. Don’t be distracted. Don’t give place to the natural, but to the supernatural.

Second

We are instructed to consent and submit to what God is saying. To consent and submit means we are to have a teachable attitude. It is easy to question why so-and-so died when they were believing for their healing. We must not get hung-up on questions we do not have the answers to. As we stay teachable and grow in the Word, often we will find the answers to these questions. However, if we do not submit to the Word, we will hinder our spiritual growth and even fail to receive what the Lord has for us.

Third

We are instructed to never let the Word depart from our eyes. Now, this does not mean we have to read the Bible 24 hours a day, nor are we just to think about it or quote it from memory. We are to look at the Scriptures that pertain to our situation, then read it and pay close attention to what we are reading. It is good to even read the Scriptures out loud. Faith comes by hearing, not by thinking. We feed our spirits even as we hear our self speak God’s Word.

To understand what this means let’s first look at what it does not mean. We don’t take God’s medicine by thinking about His Word or just quoting a verse now and then. It means to look at a healing scripture that ministers to our heart. Read and re-read it. Focus on it and believe we have what it says we have.

For example, we read in Isaiah 53:5b that “…by the stripes of Jesus, we are healed.” One way of taking God’s Word as medicine would be to speak like this.

It is written, by His stripes I am healed. By His stripes I am healed. By His stripes I am healed. Lord, I receive what You have provided for me. By Your stripes, I am healed!

No this is focusing on the Word and taking it like medicine….

Fourth

We are instructed to keep His Word in the center of our hearts. The Word of God must always be in our hearts and should dwell in us richly (Col. 3:16). This is when we meditate on what we have already read. As we go about our daily business, driving or cleaning the car, washing dishes, sweeping out the garage or pushing the vacuum, we can meditate on the Word. To meditate means to softly repeat back. So, while we are busy with our hands doing other things, we can softly repeat the Words we have read. I like to do it with thanksgiving in my heart and boldly make my confession of faith.

“Lord, I thank you that by Your stripes, I AM HEALED, that no weapon formed against me will prosper. I will not die, but live. Lord, You said that my life has been delivered from all destruction. I receive my deliverance from this infirmity now in Jesus’ Name.” – Paraphrased – Isaiah 54:17a, Psalm 118:17, Psalm 103:4a

Embracing the Word is different than memorizing it. While attending school we were instructed to memorize poems and quotes from famous authors. Years later we realize that we have forgotten some of those poems and quotes. But when the Word of God dwells in us richly, it comes forth when we need it. We don’t even have to make an effort. The Holy Spirit works within us with what we have put there.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” – John 14:26