“Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; Sing praise upon the harp unto our God: Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, Who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. He giveth to the beast his food, And to the young ravens which cry. He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: He taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, In those that hope in his mercy. Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; Praise thy God, O Zion. For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; He hath blessed thy children within thee. He maketh peace in thy borders, And filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.”
Psalm 147:7-14 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.147.7-14.KJV
Staying in Spiritual Shape
When Paul wrote 1 Timothy 4:8, he acknowledged something we all probably know at heart—physical health matters.
In Paul's time, athletic training was a sign of discipline and strength. Today, we also recognize how sleep, nutrition, and exercise impact our well-being. Taking care of our bodies is important because they are a gift from God.
But Paul reminds us that while physical training has value, it’s not enough on its own. We need something more—something deeper that sustains us beyond the ups and downs of life. That something is godliness.
Godliness isn’t just about avoiding bad habits. It’s about shaping our lives around God’s presence and purpose. Just as physical training strengthens our bodies, spiritual training—through prayer, Scripture, and obedience—strengthens our souls.
When we seek Him first, we discover that godliness doesn’t just prepare us for eternity, it also transforms how we live right now. A healthy life—mentally, ...