Physicians' Prescriptions

I've not been well lately. My prescriptions over the past month have multiplied excessively (to me, anyway). I've been pondering medical prescriptions and their side effects. The nausea, the interactions, the heart palpitations, the need for probiotics.

And I've been reading about blueberries. And strawberries. And salmon. And I've been thinking about God's prescriptions. I've been thinking about His recommendations, His gifts, His answers. And the Scripture: "The blessing of the Lord maketh rich, and He adds no sorrow with it." The food He makes tastes good, it makes me feel good, it promotes healing, and brings pleasure. The pleasure God offers is therapeutic without side effects. It heals without damaging. It's sweet without tooth decay. His pleasures promote health, well-being, peace of mind. We crave sweetness and convince ourselves that candy will fill the need. It coats our teeth and rots them. But good ripe fruit -- ah, the bliss. The sweetness, the vitamins, the toxin-killing antioxidants. You don't have to know anything about chemicals to benefit from them. And He grows them in our own backyards.

In the back of my mind, I have swimming so many applications to that. Man's prescriptions for happiness, fulfillment, health, peace of mind, success, pleasure -- somehow all end up costing too much, and the side effects make us sick. They create other needs. They interact in deadly ways with each other, and there are casualties. Death, and morbidity. But God's prescriptions bring life, and well-being, and fruit. And I can enjoy them guiltlessly. Pure pleasure and a clear conscience, too.

"Thou crownest the year with Thy goodness; and Thy paths drop fatness."
(Psalm 65:11)

"Thou wilt show me the path of life: In Thy presence is fullness of joy;
In Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
(Psalm 16:11)

"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man that taketh refuge in Him."
(Psalm 34:8)