Your Bible & You - Little Book Open.org

YOUR BIBLE AND YOU
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T h e M o r e A b u n d a n t L i f e
earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of
the Lord hath spoken it” (Isaiah 58:13, 14).
As long as the children of Israel gave heed to this good counsel, they enjoyed
the promised blessings. So healthy were they for a while that your Bible says,
“There was not one feeble person among their tribes” (Psalm 105:37). Unfortunately,
their faithfulness was short-lived, and it was not long before disease
began once more to take its toll.
When the Son of God came among them in person, He found Himself surrounded
by the sick and dying. Everywhere He went He was trailed by
people clamoring for restoration of health. The blind longed for sight, the
deaf for hearing, the lame for power to walk.
As He beheld this mass of suffering humanity His heart of love was “moved
with compassion” (Matthew 9:36). And no wonder! He was man’s Creator, and now
had come to see the frightful wreckage sin had wrought. Without a thought
for His own comfort or peace He “went about doing good, and healing all that
were oppressed of the devil” (Acts 10:38). While He taught in the synagogues and
preached the gospel of the kingdom, He busied Himself “healing all manner of
sickness and all manner of disease among the people” (Matthew 4:23).
To these poor folks who were suffering so much He brought the inspiring thought
that a new and better life was within their reach. “I am come,” He said, “that they
might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
Did they need health Did they want strength Did they desire peace of mind
Did they seek overflowing vitality It was all theirs for the asking. “Come unto
me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,” He said, “and I will give you rest” (Matthew
11:28). Rest! Yes, and life. Life more abundant than they had ever known.
But there were conditions. They must be prepared to “sin no more” (John 8:11).
They must turn back to God. They must keep His commandments. Then all
their yearnings would come to pass. “If you keep my commandments,” He told
them, “you will abide in my love” (John 15:10, RSV). And that meant everything.
The underlying principles of healthy, happy living are the same today as
then. God has not changed. His compassion for us is as great as it was for the
suffering and needy of Galilee in the long ago.
Therefore, if we would have the more abundant life God wants us to enjoy,
there is a first step we can take. We can give our hearts to Him, and turning
from all known transgression of His commandments, seek by His grace to
live in full harmony with His revealed will.