Choose the Good!

Psalm 103 (excerpt)

Of David.

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-

3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

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What a loving God we serve! His plan is to forgive all our sin and heal all our diseases! He satisfies our desires with good things so that we are continually renewed.

Why, then, are we surrounded by so much illness? Why are we seeing an epidemic of diabetes? Why is there so much cancer? Heart disease?

I believe the culprit is in our definition of the word Good in verse 5. What is “Good”?

My conclusion after decades of study is that Good has come to mean “tastes good”, in the sense, “If it feels good, do it.” We have bought into the concept of “get all the gusto” without considering the consequences.

On the other hand, many people have chosen to forego taste, as our culture defines it, in exchange for true Good. By avoiding food and activities that are harmful, they achieve greater satisfaction, truly enjoying what is most beneficial, and enhanced wellness. I believe that Good is what enables us to be wise stewards of the wellness God entrusted to us. As we practice the Good, we develop taste for true Good and do not miss the cultural “good” that has trapped so many in ill health.

For a more detailed view of this concept, pull out your Bible and read Exodus and Numbers, focusing on what the people of Israel ate and how they thought about it. Given the perfect food, Manna, they grumbled and complained until God gave them quail – and died with the meat still in their teeth (Numbers 11). Choose the Good!