Sermon Snippet – The Dignity of Doctrine and the Doctrine of Dignity – Part IV
INTRODUCTION – We have been studying the dignity of doctrine (Titus 2:1) and the doctrine of human dignity (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-17; Jeremiah 1:4-5; Philippians 2:5-8; Galatians 4:4-5; Matthew 17:1-3; Mark 8:36-37). We saw that the Biblical example of Esther teaches that each one of us is made “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14b). Last week, we considered a specific group of people – the widowed – and how Scriptural teaching directs us to tend to their specific needs (Matthew 23:14; Mark 12:41-44; Luke 7:11-17; Luke 18:1-8; I Timothy 5:3-4; James 1:27). Today, let us think about another vulnerable group of people – those afflicted with mental illness.
1. EVEN THE PAGAN PHILISTINES RECOGNIZED THE INHERENT DIGNITY OF THOSE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS
The Bible has little good to say about the vicious, violent Philistines, who lived alongside Israel’s western border on the Mediterranean. They were brave in battle (“Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines” – I Samuel 4:9a). They also understood that mental illness was real. In I Samuel 21:10-15, David, on the run from King Saul, feigned madness as he sought refuge in Achish, a Philistine city not far from modern Gaza. Although David was not actually suffering from mental illness, he knew that the Philistines would not harm him if they thought that his affliction was real. Their protection of David reveals the image of God in them as nothing else could do. We should be able to do better than the Philistines.
2. THE BIBLE PROVIDES DIRECTION IN HELPING THOSE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS
The Bible is not a medical textbook, but wherever it touches upon matters of health it is definitive. The prophet Elijah was afflicted by a profound bout of depression (I Kings 19:1-18). Believers are not immune. God graciously gave the ailing prophet exactly what he needed, basic provisions such as food and rest as well as spirited strength and purpose. The use of music to comfort Saul in his distress (I Samuel 16:14-23) is also instructive, given that we now know the efficacy of music in dealing with all types of mental illness. The Word of God presented these truths to mankind centuries, even millennia, before science caught up.
3. GOD PROMISES AN ETERNAL SOLUTION TO ALL OF US
Romans 12:1-2 teaches a number of things. One is that our minds will be transformed in order to ensure our full enjoyment of heaven. “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5b); such is the promise of our Savior God.
CONCLUSION – The affliction of mental illness is real. We need to deal with it forthrightly, using every resource available to us and seeking to develop even better ways of helping. The greatest help is the certainty of eternal life with Jesus; with both a new body and a new mind, each Christian will be ready to live -really live – forever. May each of us be sure that we have trusted in Jesus as Savior, and may we also care for the vulnerable, including those with mental illness.