Psalm 9:16 The LORD is known by the judgment which he executes: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. Through the mistake of its friends religion has been chiefly associated with sickbeds and grave. yards. It is high time this thing were changed, and that religion, instead of being represented as a hearse to carry out the dead, should be represented as a chariot in which the living are to triumph. Religion, so far from subtracting from one's vitality, is a glorious addition. It is sanative, curative, hygienic. It is good for every part of man. Religion has only just touched our world. Give it full power for a few centuries, and who can tell what will be the strength of man, and the beauty of woman, and the longevity of all! Practical religion is ever the friend of longevity. I. IT MAKES THE CARE OF OUR HEALTH A POSITIVE CHRISTIAN DUTY. Whether we shall keep early or late hours, take food digestible or indigestible, etc., is often referred to the realm of whimsicality; but the Christian man lifts this whole problem of health into the accountable and the Divine. The body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, and to deface its altars, or mar its walls, or crumble its pillars, is a God-defying sacrilege. II. IT IS A PROTEST AGAINST DISSIPATIONS WHICH INJURE AND DESTROY THE HEALTH. Bad men and women live very short lives. Their sins kill them. There are many aged ones who would have been dead twenty-five years ago but for the defences and equipoise of religion. III. IT TAKES THE WORRY OUT OF OUR TEMPORALITIES. It is not work but worry that kills men. When a man becomes a Christian he makes over to God not only his affections but his family, his business, his reputation, his body, his mind, his soul — everything. He gives God the management of his affairs. If the nervous and feverish people of the world would try this almighty sedative, they would live twenty-five years longer under its soothing power. It is not chloral or morphine that they want; it is more of the Gospel of Christ. IV. IT REMOVES ALL CORRODING CARE ABOUT A FUTURE EXISTENCE. Everyone wants to know what is to become of him. There are people who fret themselves to death for fear of dying. The Gospel offers you perfect peace now and hereafter. What do you want in the future? This is the robust, healthy religion that will tend to make you live long in this world, and in the world to come give you eternal life. (T. De Witt Talmage, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. |
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