"No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities."
This is a very profound verse (above) for a number of reasons. Con-
sider these: first, Timothy, the beloved "adopted son" of the Apostle Paul, had "frequent infirmities." If Christians are never to be sick, then why didn't Paul simply heal Timothy? The fact is (certainly) that Paul prayed for Timothy; and yet God allowed Timothy to remain hindered by sickness. Secondly, medicine is good, (as wine was used as medicine). And thirdly, wine is good--as God gave it to us, "To make glad the heart of man," (as per Ps. 104:15a).
All this to say, that the Lord is eminently reasonable, and gracious. He has provided His church *all* good things, in Jesus!
[Puritan quote of the day: "Do I lack bread? I have Christ, the Bread of Life. Am I under defilement? His blood is like the trees of the sanc-
tuary: not only for meat, but for medicine." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]
