A Holy Prescription

Every morning when I get up I have to take my medicine. I have a prescription from my rheumatologist that determines which drugs and how much of each to take.

I came across a verse the other day that leaped out at me with new meaning !!

The verse was an old familiar one.

Prov. 30:8, "Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches— Feed me with the food prescribed to me."

I have always liked this verse which offers such a balanced key to happiness!!
Not tooo rich and not too poor!! Juuusssst right !!

But what caught my eye this time was the last part of the verse “Feed me with the food you prescribe for me “

The word translated ‘prescribe’ in my NKJB is the Hebrew word ‘chok’ and it means “an appointment of time, space, quantity, labour, usage”.

I had never considered the revelation contained in this word.
Obviously, in context this verse is not talking about physical food, although of course God provides that too!
This verse is talking about life- the things that determine your day and consequently the things that determine your life path.
It is talking about the ordinary and extraordinary things that fill our days, both the good and the not so good - things that give us joy, cause us sorrow, the expected things as well as the unexpected things, happy occurrences and even things that annoy us, people we connect with .. people we interact with and react to!

Did you ever think of God writing a prescription for your day? Every morning before you get up His prescription for your day is waiting for you!
It is not for an ‘over the counter drug’, or a common drug. It is a carefully written out prescription that will ‘feed’ YOU … and only you!
‘Food’ is that which gives life -- “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (II Peter 1:3)

To 'feed' someone implies that they contribute nothing toward the provision of the food! According to my verse, God feeds … providing exactly what we need!!
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Php. 4:19)

I love the depth of meaning in the Hebrew word, "chok".
It means an appointment that is pre-determined regarding .....

1. time -God is involved in the ‘timing’ of the events of my day... Nothing happens randomly, no room for co-incidents. “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecc.3:1)

2. space - God is involved in the ‘where’ things happen. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.” (Psa. 37:23)

3. quantity - God is involved in how much is allowed. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able” (I Cor.10:13a)

4. labour – God is involved is how taxing our day is, how difficult – “but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it”
(I Cor.10:13b)

5. usage – God is involved in why and for what purpose He allows the things in our day.
“All things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purposes” (prescription) (Rom. 8:28)

I was thinking about my prescription. Although I trust my doctor and know that she knows what is good for me .. I still have freedom of choice ......

1. to ignore the prescription So also we have the freedom to rebel against walking the path that God has ‘prescribed’ for us and 'wander' according to our own fleshly desires and make choices contrary to the way God would have us go.
"All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way." (Isa.53:6)

2. to have a ‘complaining’ attitude in my taking my meds…. So also we can grip and complain and grumble about things in our day .. or we can walk through our day thankful that Someone with infinite wisdom has prescribed for us just exactly what we need.
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
(I Th. 5:18)

3. to not take my meds because they taste bad …. Taking medication may not be pleasant at the moment , it may actually taste bad !! but I trust that it will have ‘good’ results … that it will work good things in my body …. So also somethings in our day are hard to take, they cause us concern or worry or anxiety or even anger….. but God is working behind the scenes and He has promised that if we but quietly trust Him, He will cause our life to glorify Him !!
"Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Heb.12:11)

Sometimes my rheumatologist sees fit to change my medication …..but I don’t see her very often and sometimes the medication is adjusted too late !
God is ever watchful and every present ! He prescribes anew EVERY morning !!
His compassions fail not. “They are new every morning . Great is Your faithfulness!” (Lam. 3:23)

Are you not thankful today that God is the One who orders your day ?
Can you not from your heart affirm ….
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him. To the sould who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord!” (Lam. 3:24-26)

The Lord, the Great 'I AM' , who writes out the prescription for my day !!!!
How confidantly, with what security, I can walk through my day !!!