Read: 1 Timothy 4:1-11

No longer drink only water, but
use a little wine for your
stomach’s sake and your
frequent infirmities.
-1 Timothy 5:23

Several years ago a young boy died of an illness because his
parents refused to call a doctor. They believed that to use medicine implied a
lack of faith in God. After the boy’s death, they said, "It is God’s
will."

In 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul advised Timothy to take wine for his
stomach’s sake and for his "frequent infirmities." Bible scholars
aren’t sure what Timothy suffered from. Some say he had a nervous condition.
Others say that Paul advised wine as a substitute for unsafe drinking water.
Whatever the problem, Paul was recommending that Timothy take wine as a remedy
for a physical or emotional condition.

Earlier Paul had told Timothy that every created thing is good
and is not "to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is
sanctified by the Word of God and prayer" (1 Tim. 4:4-5). This assures us
that God approves of our using available means to promote health.

We must pray about it and receive it with thanksgiving.

How grateful we can be for medical advances that improve the
quality of our lives and give us more years to serve Him! But let’s always
remember that with or without medicine, God is the source of all healing. -Dennis
J. De Haan

The God who graciously imparts the skill
To hands that
practice healing arts is still
The solitary source of every breath,
And
He alone delivers us from death. -Gustafson

ASKING GOD FOR MIRACLES IS NO SUBSTITUTE
FOR USING GOD-GIVEN
MEANS.

OUR DAILY BREAD, Copyright 1998 by Radio Bible Class,
Grand
Rapids,Michigan. Used by permission.