NATURE AS A SOURCE OF

HEALTH

Lesson 12 for March 19, 2011

MAN AND NATURE: THE BEGINNINGGod placed the man in a perfect environment for him:

Pleasant views of flowers, trees, rivers

A beautiful soundtrack

Gentle and enriched scents

A wide variety of foods

Many pets to look after and to pamper

Free of feeling fear and worry

A satisfactory and amusing job

A constant temperature all the year

MAN AND NATURE: THE DEGRADATION

Sin affected the relationship between man and nature in three different ways:

1. The land was cursed and produced thorns and thistles. Working the land became harder and harder (Genesis, 4: 12). The plagues prevented a highest production.

2. Men suffered fatigue, pain and illness and their health was weakened.

3. Meat-eating animals appeared; they hurt other animals and even men. Men destabilized the environment and destroyed nature.

God had to destroy the earth with a flood because of men’s corruption. That caused more drastic changes in the environment.

Despite sin and the destruction of the Flood, nature still talks to us about God’s existence and power.

“By the Christian, God’s love and benevolence can be seen in every gift from His hands. The beauties of nature are a theme for contemplation. In studying the natural loveliness surrounding us, the mind is carried up through nature to the Author of all that is lovely. All the works of God are speaking to our senses, magnifying His power, exalting His wisdom. Every created thing has in it charms which interest the child of God, and mold his taste to regard these precious evidences of God’s love above the work of human skill”

E.G.W. (Sons and Daughters of God, “Turn Minds From the Artificial to the Natural”, p. 110)

“The heavens declare the glory of God;And the firmament shows His handiwork.Day unto day utters speech.And night unto night reveals knowledge.There is no speech nor language

where their voice is not heard.Their voice has gone out through all the earth,And their words to the end of the world.In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,Which is like a bridegroom

coming out of his chamber,And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.Its rising is from one end of heaven,And its circuit to the other end;And there is nothing hidden from its heat”

Psalm 19:1-6

COMMUNION WITH GOD IN NATURE

“And as we behold the beauty and grandeur of the works of nature, our affections go out after God; while the heart is awed and the spirit subdued, the soul is invigorated by coming in contact with the Infinite through His marvelous works”(E.G.W. “Counsels on Sabbath School work”, cp. 2,

pg. 39)

“Many are the ways in which God is seeking to make Himself known to us and bring us into communion with Him. Nature speaks to our senses without ceasing. The open heart will be impressed with the love and glory of God as revealed through the works of His hands. The listening ear can hear and understand the communications of God through the things of nature. The green fields, the lofty trees, the buds and flowers, the passing cloud, the falling rain, the babbling brook, the glories of the heavens, speak to our hearts, and invite us to become acquainted with Him who made them all”

(E.G.W. “Steps to Christ”, cp. 10, pg. 85)

COMMUNION WITH GOD IN NATURE

NATURE AS A SOURCE OF HEALTH

1. Pure air.2. Sun.3. Rest and relaxation.4. Exercise.5. Water.6. Healthy food.7. Refraining from harmful things.8. Trusting divine power.

Nature can be a source of healing thanks to the use of several natural remedies (plants, mud...) that God has provided.

Nature can be a source of healing for your body, your mind and your spirit.

“Every person should have a knowledge of nature’s remedial agencies and how to apply them” (E.G.W. “The ministry of healing”, cp. 8, pg. 127)

“From the solemn roll of the deep-toned thunder and old ocean’s ceaseless roar, to the glad songs that make the forests vocal with melody, nature’s ten thousand voices speak His praise. In earth and sea and sky, with their marvelous tint and color, varying in gorgeous contrast or blended in harmony, we behold His glory. The everlasting hills tell of His power. The trees that wave their green banners in the sunlight and the flowers in their delicate beauty point to their Creator. The living green that carpets the brown earth tells of God’s care for the humblest of His creatures. The caves of the sea and the depths of the earth reveal His treasures. He who placed the pearls in the ocean and the amethyst and chrysolite among the rocks is a lover of the beautiful. The sun rising in the heavens is a representative of Him who is the life and light of all that He has made. All the brightness and beauty that adorn the earth and light up the heavens speak of God”

E.G.W. (Counsels to parents, teachers and students, section 2, Lessons from nature, pg. 54)