Obedience has rewards

"Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years." Deuteronomy 8:4 NIV

In an article titled, "Why Do My Hands Swell on a Run or Walk?" published by Runner's World last week, a top doctor offered advice on this common hot-weather problem. If you’ve ever noticed your hands swelling midrun or plopped down after the fact to see some swollen fingers, you’re definitely not alone. While it’s often only subtle, it’s actually a pretty common occurrence, so we tapped William O. Roberts, M.D., professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Minnesota, to give us the details on this phenomenon. According to Roberts, your hands usually swell when it’s hot out—but it’s not a sign of dehydration. Rather, it’s the opposite: Hands and fingers swelling can be a sign of hyponatremia, which occurs when you drink too much fluid over the course of a run, he says. The solution? Roberts says if you notice that your hand swelling is worse when you run in the heat, moving your hard or long workouts to the cooler parts of the day—mornings or night—could help. And most importantly, dial in your hydration plan, especially for long runs that last over an hour or have to happen in heat and humidity. One recent study, published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology, suggests that drinking water whenever you want (when you feel thirst) will lead to adequate hydration at the end of a two-hour run despite the temperature. Listen closely to your body to prevent over-hydrating which can lead to symptoms of hyponatremia.

And you know, when it comes to swelling body parts, the Bible tells us that during the time God was building humility in the Israelites over the course of 40 years by teaching and testing them in the wilderness, the Israelites’ clothing did not wear out and their feet did not swell. Amazing right? Not only that though, the Lord caused the people to hunger so that He could personally feed them manna each day to teach them to place their total trust and obedience in Him, to recognize they are nothing and have nothing apart from Him, and to show them that there are rewards for being obedient to every command that He gives.

So stay humble and be careful to follow every command the Lord has given you my friend so that you will live a life worthy of being called a child of the Father. Remember all that He has done so that you will never take the credit for yourself. You’ll not only reap the rewards of doing so in this lifetime but in the one to come. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the examples in the Bible that show us that no matter how far or how long a person has strayed, You love them enough to discipline them and set them back on the right course if they would only choose to follow your commands... even if it takes 40 years to do so. Help us to remember all that You have done and to follow after You Lord so that we might reap the rewards of your promises now. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!