Author of Physical Laws, August 22

“Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.”—Jeremiah 32:17JNN 248.1

Health is a blessing of which few appreciate the value; yet upon it the efficiency of our mental and physical powers largely depends. Our impulses and passions have their seat in the body, and it must be kept in the best condition physically and under the most spiritual influences in order that our talents may be put to the highest use.JNN 248.2

Anything that lessens physical strength enfeebles the mind and makes it less capable of discriminating between right and wrong. We become less capable of choosing the good and have less strength of will to do that which we know to be right.JNN 248.3

The misuse of our physical powers shortens the period of time in which our lives can be used for the glory of God. And it unfits us to accomplish the work God has given us to do. By allowing ourselves to form wrong habits, by keeping late hours, by gratifying appetite at the expense of health, we lay the foundation for feebleness. By neglecting physical exercise, by overworking mind or body, we unbalance the nervous system. Those who thus shorten their lives and unfit themselves for service by disregarding nature’s laws, are guilty of robbery toward God. And they are robbing their fellow human beings also. The opportunity of blessing others, the very work for which God sent them into the world, has by their own course of action been cut short. And they have unfitted themselves to do even that which in a briefer period of time they might have accomplished. The Lord holds us guilty when by our injurious habits we thus deprive the world of good.JNN 248.4

Transgression of physical law is transgression of the moral law; for God is as truly the Author of physical laws as He is the Author of the moral law. His law is written with His own finger upon every nerve, every muscle, every faculty, which has been entrusted to human beings. And every misuse of any part of our organism is a violation of that law.JNN 248.5

All should have an intelligent knowledge of the human frame that they may keep their bodies in the condition necessary to do the work of the Lord.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 346-348.JNN 248.6

Further Reflection: Have I robbed God of usefulness by failing to care for my body temple? What health habit do I need to begin today?JNN 248.7