The increasing number of patients taking tranquillisers; the rising incidents of stress diseases; the frequency of attempted suicide, which has reached epidemic proportions; all these reflect sadly on our modern society and demand an answer.
I have no doubt that a proper regard for the LORD’s Day would help to ameliorate these problems. Speaking as a physician, there are good reasons physically, mentally and spiritually why we should set aside the first day of the week as a special day unto the LORD.
Physically
You cannot continue to work without sleep indefinitely. After a certain number of hours, you fall asleep, whatever you are doing. In a torture situation where people are forcibly kept awake, there comes a break point. There are many examples of 24-hour cycles in the body (called circadian rhythms), showing the natural functioning of the body on a daily basis. Your temperature varies by two degrees; many chemicals in the blood stream alter in their concentration; and your ability to concentrate fluctuates in a cyclical manner. You can test the last by keeping awake all night — at around 6.00 am you begin to ‘wake up’, even though you have not been asleep!
