“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” Deuteronomy 11:18
Oh, how the importance of this command has been driven home to me this week! As I grow older the truth and the power of Scripture becomes even more precious to me. I love the imagery of this whole passage in Deuteronomy which paints the picture of how important it is to be meditating, memorizing, contemplating, and implementing God’s Word. It becomes the source of comfort and guidance in times of crisis.
Last Friday, May 15th, I had to take my mom to the ER for what appeared to be stroke like symptoms. A few hours earlier, I decided to read my theme verse for the year…Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
From there the Holy Spirit led me to more verses:
Psalm 31:24 ~”Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.”
Psalm 24:4 ~ “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Isaiah 41:10, 13-14 ~ “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and say to you, Do not fear; I will help you….for I myself will help you, declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.”
John 16:33 ~ “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!”
How could I have known that these verses would very soon be my source of strength in a difficult time!
When my mom awoke from a nap, she was exhibiting stroke like symptoms; non-sensical speech, restless, unable to focus or answer questions. As I waited for my husband to come to drive her to the hospital, these verses I had read earlier came back to my mind…not so much the words of the verses but the intent and meaning behind them. I felt the courage, I felt the calm, I felt the peace, I felt the strength, and I felt the presence of the Lord Jesus. There were a few moments when I thought she was going to die right before me…and I was strangely at peace with that…in fact I even prayed over her telling her that Jesus is here, you can go with Him.
As I think back on that experience I am in awe and so incredibly thankful to God that He was faithful in using His Word to empower me to handle such an experience. This is why spending time in Scripture is so vital to our lives…the Word of God is indeed alive and active, and all Scripture is God-breathed…so let us inhale deeply!!
The Wallace Adventure! 