Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
Psalm 9:10 ESV
Revelation 5:8-14 NKJV
From the Beginning
I think one of the first scriptures I memorized was Proverbs 3:3-6 which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
I do not remember a time when I did not know and rely on those words.
They have carried me.
They comfort me.
They remind me that regardless of what’s going on in my life, I can trust God to hold onto me.
I KNOW that God is trust WORTHY.
Looking back, the first time that was really put to the test was when my dad died. He had been my counselor and guide all my life and when it became apparent he would not beat the cancer growing in his body I felt lost.
I couldn’t think what life would be without my dad.
I was 34 years old.
Although I had memorized Proverbs 3:5-6 years before and I had repeated it when times were tough, it suddenly took on new meaning. For the first time in my life I knew I wouldn’t be able to turn to my dad for help and advice. I wasn’t sure I could face life without him.
The night before he died I had a dream.
In the dream my dad was in a tunnel and he was walking toward a bright light. I was outside the tunnel clawing and scrapping the sides. I wanted to go with him. I wanted to go to the light.
I could not get into the tunnel.
I woke up sobbing and was in a cold sweat. I was helpless. I started repeating the words to Proverbs 3:5-6.
Trust God.
We lived in Northeast Missouri at the time. I don’t remember how, but we packed the car and the six of us headed to Kansas City.
The funeral was a blur. I don’t remember much about the visitation, but I do remember the line went on and on. We stood at the front for hours as people came and went. Looking back, I consider it a miracle that my four children didn’t require any attention. There were no arguments that I had to referee. My youngest son was only four years old and my daughter who was twelve was the oldest. I remember they were all very sad because they adored their attentive grandpa. He was their ‘horse’ who had carried them up and down the hall on his back for years. He helped them design Lincoln log homes and spent hours drawing jet planes and ships for them. Those days were hard for all of us.
Looking back through my tears I consider it a miracle that I (we) made it through the minutes, days, and years ahead. Slowly but ever so surely, I grew up.
Through it all, God held onto me, spoke to me, and consoled me. God WAS worthy of my trust.
Psalm 9:10, says “And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”
God did not forsake me. In my hour of need, God took care of everything.
The year was 1987…34 years ago.
I realized when I turned 68 this year that I had lived as long without my dad than I’d lived with him.
Every day without fail, God has been worthy of my trust.
Today, I KNOW that in the end when the Lamb of God takes the scroll He will have been and will always be worthy of our trust.
We read in Revelation 5:8-14:
“Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.”
God is worthy. God is worthy of our trust. From before the beginning to infinity, worthy.
Today’s Spiritual Practice is: Trust God
God is worthy today, tomorrow, and through eternity of our trust. Embrace God.
In God, Deborah
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