This is one of the Savior’s promises that some Christians say we shouldn’t take literally. However, I have discovered that when we take the Lord at His Word with the faith of a child, He will often reveal Himself and His saving power in extraordinary ways. So, years ago, I began confessing this Scripture every day, claiming it as my own. And I know at least one reason why the Lord has led me to do this. I have suffered with digestive problems for most of my life. Through promise-based prayer, medical intervention, and watching what I eat and drink, my health has improved greatly in this area. But there are still times when I am caught off guard, and I consume something in good faith, that makes me extremely ill. This is when I declare, “Lord, I thank You that because of my faith in Christ, even if I eat or drink anything deadly or poisonous, it shall not hurt me!” And I am amazed at how often immediate relief washes over me from head to toe.

The fact is that there are a lot of chemicals and additives in so many of our foods and drinks these days that there is no way to avoid everything that could cause us to have a negative reaction. We may have sensitivities or allergies that we aren’t even aware of. Even medical intervention cannot guarantee that we are protected from unsafe ingredients in things that we consume. Eating restaurant foods can be particularly risky. Eateries don’t have to reveal all of the things that they are putting in our food. I find myself continually praying, “Lord, help me to always crave and consume the things that are best for me, in the amounts that are best for me.”

Scripture says, “You shall serve the Lord our God, and He will bless your bread and your water; and I will remove sickness from your midst.” (Exodus 23:25 NASB) I pray and stand on this promise for myself and my family every day. Whenever I eat, I ask for the Lord’s blessing on my food and drink. Even so, there are times when my body suffers after I consume something. I can eat a certain food with no problem if I eat it by itself. But if I combine it with certain other foods or drinks, I can have a negative reaction. And I usually don’t know that it’s not going to agree with me until it’s too late. That combination of foods turns out to be “deadly” or “poisonous” (NLT) for me. It is then that I am so grateful for God’s promise in Mark 16:18, and I am so thankful for His faithfulness to His Word.

I encourage you to arm yourself with the Lord’s promises to protect you from things you consume that have the power to harm you. Teach these things to “those who believe” among your loved ones, so that they, too, can experience the healing power and protection of God’s Word!

Prayer: Lord, help me to only crave and consume the things that are best for every part of my body and my being. Give me wisdom and discernment with regard to food and drink – when I am preparing meals at home, and when I dine out. If I happen to consume anything deadly or poisonous, I ask that You neutralize its ability to do me harm. Thank You that because I worship and serve You, You will bless my food and water and remove all sickness from me in Jesus’ name!