It is a remarkable fact that God created man and gave him life as a mature individual, functioning perfectly and having a 1 his faculties complete. "The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Gen. 2 7. The following comment regarding this creation is most interesting and enlightening:
"In the creation of man was manifest the agency of a personal God. When God had made man in His image, the human form was perfect in all its arrangements, but it was without life. Then a personal, self-existing God breathed into that form the breath of life, and man became a living, intelligent being. All parts of the human organism were set in action. The heart, the arteries, the veins, the tongue, the hands, the feet, the senses, the faculties of the mind, all began their work, and all were placed under law.
Man became a living soul. Through Christ the Word, a personal God created man, and endowed him with intelligence and power."—"Ministry of Healing," p. 415.
The laws of nature are the laws of God, established by Him. That these laws are God's servants is clearly taught in the Spirit of prophecy and clearly revealed in physical and chemical processes.
"God is constantly employed in upholding and using as His servants the things that He has made. He works through the laws of nature, using them as His instruments. They are not self-acting. Nature in her work testifies of the intelligent presence and active agency of a Being who moves in all things according to His will. Id., p. 416.
"The mechanism of the human body cannot be fully understood; it presents mysteries that baffle the most intelligent. It is not as the result of a mechanism, which, once set in motion, continues its work, that the pulse beats, and breath follows breath. In God we, live and move and have our being. The beating heart, the throbbing pulse, every nerve and muscle in the living organism, is kept in order and activity by the power of an ever-present God."—Id., p. 417.
We all understand more or less about the laws of physiology and hygiene as they operate in and affect the human organism. We readily recognize the laws governing breathing and respiration. We seldom stop to think, however, of the sensitiveness and efficiency of the automatic mechanisms that operate, according to law, to meet the demands of the body for oxygen under the various conditions of rest, exercise, altitude, health, and disease.
The laws pertaining to the nutrition of the body,—to digestion, absorption, assimilation, elimination, et cetera,—are quite thoroughly understood, though not always obeyed. The factors that coordinate to maintain the practically constant blood-sugar level, the perfect heat-regulating mechanism, the marvelous circulation of the blood, the heartbeat, and many other equally notable phenomena, go on in the body day by day—and we hardly give them a passing thought. The study of the human body and the laws by which its extremely intricate processes are governed is intensely fascinating, and can only cause one to be filled with profound regard and admiration for the wisdom and power of the Creator which is infinite and past finding out.
"I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." Ps. 139:14-16.
"The physical organism of man is under the supervision of God, but it is not like a clock, which is set in operation, and must go of itself. The heart beats, pulse succeeds pulse, breath succeeds breath, but the entire being is under the supervision of God. 'Ye are God's husbandry ; ye are God's building.' In God we live, and move, and have our being."—"Medical Ministry," p. 9.
The advent of sin and the tragic changes which took place in the human body causing it to be subject to disease and death, make it vitally important that each individual study carefully and become well-informed in respect to all the laws of physical well-being. We have repeatedly had instruction regarding the value of studying physiology, hygiene, and kindred subjects.
"The Creator of man has arranged the living machinery of our bodies. Every function is wonderfully and wisely made. And God has pledged Himself to keep this human machinery in healthful action if the human agent will obey His laws and cooperate with God. Every law governing the human machinery is to be considered just as truly divine in origin, in character, and in importance as the word of God. Every careless, inattentive action, any abuse put upon the Lord's wonderful mechanism, by disregarding His specified laws in the human habitation, is a violation of God's law. We may behold and admire the work of God in the natural world, but the human habitation is the most wonderful. "From the first dawn of reason, the human mind should become intelligent in regard to the physical structure. Here Jehovah has given a specimen of Himself ; for man was made in the image of God. It is Satan's determined work to destroy the moral image of God in man. He would make the intelligence of man, his highest, noblest gift, the most destructive agent to pollute with sin everything he touches."—"Ministry of Healing," p. 221.
Does not this admonition strikingly touch the duty and obligation of intelligently observing the laws of health ? Why has God established these laws? Are they, or are they not designed for our good, our happiness, and our eternal welfare?
"God does not require His children to deny themselves to the injury of physical strength. He requires them to obey natural law, to preserve physical health. Nature's path is the road He marks out, and it is broad enough for any Christian. God has, with a lavish hand, provided us with rich and varied bounties for our sustenance and enjoyment. But in order for us to enjoy the natural appetite, which will preserve health and prolong life, He restricts the appetite. He says, Beware; restrain, deny, unnatural appetite. If we create a perverted appetite, we violate the laws of our being, and assume the responsibility of abusing our bodies and of bringing disease upon ourselves."—"Testimonies," Vol. III, p. 63.
"God loves His creatures with a love that is both tender and strong. He has established the laws of nature, but His laws are not arbitrary exactions. Every 'Thou shalt not,' whether in physical or moral law, contains or implies a promise. If it is obeyed, blessings will attend our steps; if it is disobeyed, the result is danger and unhappiness. The laws of God are designed to bring His people closer to Himself. He will save them from the evil, and lead them to the good, if they will be led ; but force them He never will."—"Counsels on Health," pp. 325, 326,
What is to be our attitude toward these plans governing our bodies?
"When men and women are truly converted, they will conscientiously regard the laws of life that God has established in their being, thus seeking to avoid physical, mental, and moral feebleness. Obedience to these laws must be made a matter of personal duty."—"Testimonies," Vol. VI, p. 369.
H. M. W.
