The LORD – Me From the Inside Out

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.

Proverbs 3:5-6

I’ve had some twist and turns lately that have caused me to remember these words from Proverbs chapter three. Words that instruct the child of God to trust in Him with their whole heart and warn against leaning on their own-human understandings. This isn’t always easy. Life comes with detours and road blocks and catastrophes that range from cracks in the road to canyons that engulf.

I’ve run into a bit of this unexpected rough terrain in recent months. It’s terrain that led to the emergency room and follow-up tests and procedures and complications leading to more test and procedures. So far the medical end of it seems to be ok but can’t, or I’m told shouldn’t be left unchecked. However the billing and insurance side of the roadmap have proved to be canyons or perhaps, better stated, insurmountable mountains. Yet this one thing I know and have faithfully been reminded of – both by God’s Word and the remembrance of His provision in the past: When the way seems insurmountable or the road impassable – even then – God can make a way.

It would be easy to panic, and trust me, the phrases – “there’s no way” and “how in the world” have rolled off my tongue or at the very least through my mind with every bill and every reminder from the insurance company “not covered!” BUT GOD‘s Spirit whispers the sweeter reminder: “Nothing is impossible with God” and “God will make a way where there seems to be no way … rivers in the desert you will see … “. Yes, He’s been faithful to provide a Savior for our unbelievable deliverance from sin and death – but we can also trust Him to provide for our physical needs as well – even the seemingly impossible ones! Why am I so sure? Because, I know He cares for me! (1 Peter 5:7) … Because I know He holds the future … because I know what He has already done for me … and because I know His promises of eternal life and a straight path when the way seems impossible – are yes and amen in Christ Jesus.

The wisdom of today’s verse is not just an encouragement but a divine promise. In submitting our ways—our decisions, dreams, and dilemmas—to God, we are promised not just any path, but a straight one.
OurDailyVerse.com / on Proverbs 3:5-6

Is it any wonder this treasured hymn of my heart came flooding through my mind and spilling out in tears as I finished this blog – may it speak volumes to your soul as well. – Me, from the Inside-out 🦋

Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, And long for heav’n and home; When Jesus is my portion?
My constant Friend is he; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me.

Refrain: I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For his eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear, And resting on his goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Though by the path he leadeth, But one step I may see; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. [Refrain]

His Eye Is On The Sparrow / Author: Civilla D. Martin (1905)

The Word Of God

Day 1 of Jesus I Need You, Part 2, a study of Thistlebend Ministries

Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:2-3;Psalm 19:1-2,7-20

The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; ^{Ps 111:7}
the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. ^{Ps 119:130}
The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad; ^{Ps 119:14}
the command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up. ^{Ps 13:3}
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; ^{Ps 111:10}
the ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous. ^{Ps 119:30}
They are more desirable than gold — than an abundance of pure gold; ^{Ps 119:72,127}
and sweeter than honey, which comes from the honeycomb.
Psalm 19:7-20 HCSB

Observation: What’s the Message?

I love this passage. I remember learning it as a song in the 70’s when I was a teenager. The tune still plays through my mind whenever I read it or hear someone quote it. Whether I learned the meaning of the verse at the time or simply learned the words, I don’t remember, but it was a bit enlightening to SOAP it and realize that each of the six terms preceding the phrase, “of the LORD” refer to God’s Word. It was equally enlightening to realize that each of the descriptive terms, such as perfect and trustworthy, that follow the phrase – are references to the character of God, .

I thought it odd when I saw the Scripture references and wondered how they went together. However, as I read through them a couple of times their connect became clearer. I realized that “the Kingdom of Heaven mentioned in Matt 3:2 is actually referring to Jesus, who according to John 1:1 is “The Word”. Then after reading through Psalm 19:1-2 which points to the creation being a display of God’s glory, while the rest of the Psalm reveals Him through His Word. I believe these truths add a bit more meaning or reality to the phrase, “They are more desirable than gold – than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey which comes from the honeycomb.” Don’t you just love when Scripture defines or enhances other Scripture like this? I know I do!

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
    The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
    night after night they make him known.
Psalm 19:1-2 NLT

Application: How Then Should We Live?

I believe all three passages point us to God’s Word in some way, so for me the application or answer to how we should live according to this knowledge – would be to invest in God’s Word. You may be wondering how we can invest in His Word? I think there are two primary ways, one of which is to read from it daily. Jeremiah described this as ‘tasting it, when he wrote of finding and eating God’s Word, at which time he declared that they had become both a source of joy and delight. The other way to invest in God’s Word is to live ‘It’ out – for example, live by His instructions and trust what He says. When we invest our time, our minds, and hearts in God and His Word we will see His character more clearly as David did, and we will want Him all the more.

Prayer: Response to The Word

Father, Your Word is a rich treasure trove of life and health and breath and peace. By it we are warned and in keeping it there is great reward. May we invest in it faithfully that we might please You and so that others might see the path to You more clearly.

Want More?

Go Deeper with Thistlebend’s devotional post –

Your Turn:

What’s your take away from today’s Scripture reading?
What are some practical ways you plan to invest in God’s Word?

Tag: The LORD

Trusting the God of the Impossible