As a boy I enjoyed doing chemical experiments but for over 60 years I have observed another kind of chemistry in the laboratory of life. Here's an example.

The Bible says, "Like vinegar on soda is one who sings songs to a heavy heart." [ Proverbs chapter 25 verse 20 ]. If we pour vinegar which is acid, onto soda which is alkali, there is fizzing (agitation) until the solution is neutralised. This is what happens if we try to cheer up a broken hearted person by being merry and making light of their troubles. They end up getting agitated and this neutralises any good we intended to accomplish. The good Samaritan poured in oil and wine in that order. The oil reminds us of patient loving sympathy and the wine speaks of stimulating words of encouragement which we can only administer gradually with tenderness.

Another example of Bible chemistry is the dispenser who makes up our medicine from ingredients that on their own can be harmful. Paul had something like this in mind when he wrote, "We know that all things work together for good to those who love God." [ Romans chapter 8 verse 28 ]. I can't remember all the times I've mixed faith with this promise and found that God brings good out of situations that seemed at first to be a complete dead loss.

In closing let's see how God's words are like chemicals that can dissolve fear when we mix them with faith. [ Hebrews chapter 4 verse 2 ]. Some years ago my wife was plagued with fear when facing surgery. She loves God and knew He understood how she felt, so she prayed that He would give her a promise that would help. She soon found herself reading Psalm 56 verse 3, "Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You." She mixed these words with faith and gradually her fears dissolved. Millions know that God's chemistry works