An Ounce of Prevention

"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." (Psalm 119: 11 NIV)

This verse makes one think of the old adage - "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." It is far better to prevent an evil or calamity than to try to cure it or deal with the aftermath of it. In the above words of the Psalmist, prevention against future sinning is insured by the placing within the heart and mind the word of God. To put God's word in the heart is to memorize it, to have it always in remembrance. It also means to cherish it. Those who do so will be equipped against future losses that come from sin. To have God's word in the heart and memory is to be "fortified" against harm.

"The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today." (Dueteronomy 6: 4 NIV)

Not only the word of God, but to have his fear in the heart, is also a great preventative. Obedience and faithfulness to God and his word often prevents early death. Long life and good health are generally the results of such obedience. To prevent an early death and stave off poverty, God says to learn and know his word, to keep it in the mind, and obey it in all things.

"Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee." (Psalm 55: 23 KJV)

"Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?" (Ecclesiastes 7: 17 KJV)

Here, an early death is viewed as that which may have been avoided or prevented. But, it comes early to those who are criminal and who "throw caution to the wind" when it comes to "taking risks" with their lives. A sinner who does not practice "preventative" maintenance or care, spiritually speaking, will pay in "pounds," that is, it will "cost him dearly."

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15: 4 NIV)

The bible in the heart, its teachings in the memory, will serve to prevent numerous failings, and discouragement, and hopelessness.

"Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding your kinsman; they will keep you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words." (Proverbs 7: 4, 5 NIV)

Oh how many have reaped the sad consequences of failing to learn God's word! How ill prepared are they against possible disasters! The lover of God's word is "kept from" or "prevented" from many a harm and danger.

"You said, 'I will continue forever—the eternal queen!' But you did not consider these things or reflect on what might happen." (Isaiah 47: 7 NIV)

This is why they who do not practice the advice that says - "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." They have "failed to consider" what "might happen," and have not sought ways to prevent it, lacking wisdom and caution. All of us need to "reflect on what might happen" and do what we can to prevent calamity and loss. A little pre-thought and a little "preventative care" can "stave off" many a misfortune.

"None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death. There is no escaping that obligation, that dark battle. And in the face of death, wickedness will certainly not rescue the wicked." (Ecclesiastes 8: 8 NLT)

Some things we cannot prevent. We cannot "prevent the day of our death." We can be ready for it, and insure that it is a blessing rather than a curse, but we cannot prevent it. We must have wisdom to know what is preventable and what is not.

"He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity." (Proverbs 21: 23 NIV)

In regard to the "tongue" or the "mouth" much can be said in the way of "preventative medicine." Those who use an ounce of care here will surely keep themselves from having to pay in pounds later for a "cure." Oh how much evil and calamity has been prevented by men simply keeping watch over their words!

"Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did." (I Corinthians 10: 6 NIV)

Again, God's word is viewed as being a great source of "prevention" against life's ills. The things that are written in God's word are designed to prevent people from harming themselves.

"To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me." (II Corinthians 12: 7 NIV)

Thankfully the Lord works in the lives of his people to prevent them from sin and its harm. He works in providence to humble his people, to prevent their being filled with pride, and thus to prevent their harm. With Paul the Lord sent a "messenger of Satan," not to harm him but to "buffet" him, to curb his pride, so that he might thereby be kept from the consequences of it.

"For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (II Peter 1: 8 NIV)

"If you possess these qualities," or if you practice this spiritual "preventative care" for your souls, then you will be prevented from becoming "ineffectual" and of no good use, or "unproductive," and will be thereby preventing many ills.

"Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." (II Corinthians 1: 9 NIV)

The Lord did not teach Paul "self reliance," but reliance upon God. This teaching in the fear of the Lord, and in his word, and in reliance upon the Lord, are all ways that people are prevented from harms that others experience.

"Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning." (Exodus 20: 20 NIV)

Not only the word of God in the heart and mind, but also the "fear of God," will become that "ounce of prevention" that is needed to keep from having to pay in pounds later in trying to find a cure. Oh how the lack of this fear of God has been the reason why many were not able to keep themselves from the calamities of others! The fear of God will "prevent" sin, and the prevention of sin will prevent the evil consequences of sin.

"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy." (Jude 1: 24 KJV)

Lord God is able to "prevent" our falling and our failing! He is able to "stave off" disasters.

Friend, will you practice this spiritual preventative care? Will you place the word of God into your heart and mind? Will you call upon the Lord to put his fear into your soul?