These unusual days give us all time to let our minds wander where they may not go on a day to day basis. One of the things I have thought about is all those Bible verses Mom insisted we memorize as a teenager.
Saturdays at our house began with memory work. Mom would not let us do much of anything until we could recite our Bible verses correctly from memory. While this was not my favorite activity at the time, even then I understood the exercise had value. Little did I know just how much value was being stored in my heart and spirit for just a time as this.
Today the verse that has new meaning for me is one that is beloved by many.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV reads, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” This passage of scripture continues with a couple of less known verses containing some beautiful wisdom. Verses 6-7 continue, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
This isolation from people is certainly not my favorite way to live. Close in heart and spirit to my savior is though and these days offer more time to pursue that closeness. Our prayer can be that in these moments we will connect with our God in a quiet way and that we will spill over with his goodness on to the people who desperately need to feel his presence.
The coming days for our nation and our neighbors look sobering. Let us not be wise in our own eyes. May we fear the Lord (reverence him) and shun evil. All of us need some supernatural health right now. The phrase “nourishment to your bones” is translated in the Message as “your very bones will vibrate with life!” Now these are some encouraging words.
Thanks Mom, for toughing it out with your three teenage daughters and showing us firsthand how to persevere in the pursuit of knowing God.
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