Sunday
September 6
1. THE CAUSE OF SICKNESS
a. What express command did God give to His people Israel to keep them free from disease? Exodus 15:26.
“Christ gave to Israel definite instruction in regard to their habits of life, and He assured them, ‘The Lord will take away from thee all sickness’ (Deuteronomy 7:15). When they fulfilled the conditions, the promise was verified to them.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 824.
b. What is always associated with sickness? Psalm 103:3; John 5:14.
“We reap that which we sow. Satan . . . caused man to charge upon God the suffering which is but the sure result of the transgression of physical law.”—The Christian Educator, October 1, 1898.
“People have seldom accredited their sufferings to the true cause—their own wrong course of action. They have indulged in intemperance in eating, and made a god of their appetite. In all their habits they have manifested a recklessness in regard to health and life; and when, as the result, sickness has come upon them they have made themselves believe that God was the author of it, when their own wrong course of action has brought the sure result.”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 121.
Monday
September 7
2. STEPS IN RECOVERY
a. Where do most diseases begin? Proverbs 23:7. What steps should be taken in order to recover from maladies? Matthew 9:2–6.
“Sickness of the mind prevails everywhere. Nine tenths of the diseases from which men suffer have their foundation here. Perhaps some living home trouble is, like a canker, eating to the very soul and weakening the life forces. Remorse for sin sometimes undermines the constitution and unbalances the mind.”—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 444.
“The condition of the mind affects the health of the physical system. If the mind is free and happy, from a consciousness of right doing and a sense of satisfaction in causing happiness to others, it creates a cheerfulness that will react upon the whole system, causing a freer circulation of the blood and a toning up of the entire body.”—Counsels of Health, p. 28.
“A great deal of the sickness which afflicts humanity has its origin in the mind, and can only be cured by restoring the mind to health. There are very many more than we imagine who are sick mentally.”—Ibid., p. 349.
“Disease is sometimes produced, and is often greatly aggravated, by the imagination. Many are lifelong invalids who might be well if they only thought so. Many imagine that every slight exposure will cause illness, and the evil effect is produced because it is expected. Many die from disease, the cause of which is wholly imaginary.”—Ibid., p. 344.
b. Who is the only healer, and what did He say to those that were healed? Jeremiah 17:14; Matthew 4:24; 14:14; John 5:12–14.
“One of the great objects of our Health Institute is to direct sin-sick souls to the Great Physician, the true healing Fountain, and call their attention to the necessity of reform from a religious standpoint, that they no longer violate the law of God by sinful indulgences. If the moral sensibilities of invalids can be aroused and they see that they are sinning against their Creator by bringing sickness upon themselves and by the indulgence of appetite and debasing passions, when they leave the Health Institute they will not leave their principles behind, but will take them with them and be genuine health reformers at home.”—Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 170.
Tuesday
September 8
3. NATURAL REMEDIES
a. When king Hezekiah was sick, what natural remedy was applied on his ulcers? 2 Kings 20:7. What remedies does God approve?
“One word from God, one touch of the divine finger, would have cured Hezekiah instantly, but special directions were given to take a fig and lay it upon the affected part, and Hezekiah was raised to life. In everything we need to move along the line of God’s providence.” —Counsels on Health, pp. 381, 382.
“God’s remedies are the simple agencies of nature that will not tax or debilitate the system through their powerful properties. Pure air and water, cleanliness, a proper diet, purity of life, and a firm trust in God are remedies for the want of which thousands are dying; yet these remedies are going out of date because their skillful use requires work that the people do not appreciate. Fresh air, exercise, pure water, and clean, sweet premises are within the reach of all with but little expense, but drugs are expensive, both in the outlay of means and in the effect produced upon the system.”—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 443.
b. What is the plan of God for the use of medicinal plants on the earth made new? Ezekiel 47:12 (last part); Revelation 22:2 (last part). While we are on this earth, what benefits can we obtain from such plants and other natural remedies?
“The Lord has provided antidotes for diseases in simple plants, and these can be used by faith, with no denial of faith; for by using the blessings provided by God for our benefit we are cooperating with Him. He can use water and sunshine and the herbs which He has caused to grow, in healing maladies brought on by indiscretion or accident. We do not manifest a lack of faith when we ask God to bless His remedies.”—Selected Messages, bk. 2, p. 289.
c. What does God expect from Christian physicians? Matthew 9:12.
“Physicians are to act in Christ’s stead. . . . Christ’s plans are to be carried out more definitely by the Christian physician.”—Medical Ministry, p. 120.
Wednesday
September 9
4. THE POWER OF PRAYER
a. When someone becomes sick, what should he or she do according to Bible instruction? James 5:14, 15.
“The work of our sanitariums would be far more successful if the physicians would read the word more earnestly and put its precepts into practice, if they would preach the kingdom of God and pray for the healing grace of Christ to come upon the afflicted.”—Medical Ministry, p. 29.
b. What difference should we bear in mind when praying for the sick? What thought should our prayers include? 1 John 5:14–16.
“In prayer for the sick it should be remembered that ‘we know not what we should pray for as we ought’ (Romans 8:26). We do not know whether the blessing we desire will be best or not. Therefore our prayers should include this thought: ‘Lord, thou knowest every secret of the soul. Thou art acquainted with these persons. Jesus, their Advocate, gave His life for them. His love for them is greater than ours can possibly be. If, therefore, it is for Thy glory and the good of the afflicted ones, we ask, in the name of Jesus, that they may be restored to health. If it be not Thy will that they may be restored, we ask that Thy grace may comfort and Thy presence sustain them in their sufferings.’ ”—The Ministry of Healing, pp. 229, 230.
“My husband and I once attended a meeting where our sympathies were enlisted for a brother who was a great sufferer with the phthisic. He was pale and emaciated. He requested the prayers of the people of God. . . .
“He importuned us so earnestly that we decided to consider his case and present it before the Lord that night; and if the way seemed clear, we would comply with his request. . . .
“In a dream the case of that man was clearly presented. His course from his childhood up was shown, and that if we should pray the Lord would not hear us; for he regarded iniquity in his heart. The next morning the man came for us to pray for him. We took him aside and told him we were sorry to be compelled to refuse his request. I related my dream, which he acknowledged was true.”—Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 349, 350.
Thursday
September 10
5. HEALTHFUL LIVING
a. What is God’s will in regard to our physical bodies? 3 John 2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 4:3, 4.
“In order for the people of God to be in an acceptable state with Him, where they can glorify Him in their bodies and spirits which are His, they must with interest and zeal deny the gratification of their appetites, and exercise temperance in all things. Then may they comprehend the truth in its beauty and clearness, and carry it out in their lives, and by a judicious, wise, straightforward course give the enemies of our faith no occasion to reproach the cause of truth. God requires all who believe the truth to make special, persevering efforts to place themselves in the best possible condition of bodily health, for a solemn and important work is before us. Health of body and mind is required for this work.”—Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 619.
b. In order to please God in our bodies, where should our mind be set? Isaiah 26:3, 4; Colossians 3:1, 2. How does this also apply to efforts in medical missionary lines?
“The work which is being done in medical missionary lines is the very work which Christ commanded His followers to do. Can you not clearly see that those who are engaged in this work are fulfilling the Saviour’s commission?”—Testimonies to Ministers, p. 416.
“Let little companies go forth to do the work to which Christ appointed His disciples. Let them labor as evangelists, scattering our publications and talking of the truth to those they meet. Let them pray for the sick, ministering to their necessities, not with drugs, but with nature’s remedies.”—Christian Service, p. 128.
Friday
September 11
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
a. Why do people—too often including professed believers—get sick?
b. How do the mind and spirit relate to the physical body?
c. Why is drug medication to be avoided?
d. What are necessary requirements in praying for the sick?
e. Explain our duties regarding physical health, both of ourselves and of others.