Prepared for Peace

Do you believe that God is intentional in all He does? Not just about directing you in ministry, or the big decisions in life. Do you believe He is involved in even the slightest details? I do and here is my latest proof.

Around the beginning of November, I felt a calling to devote time to the memorization of Scripture. I love to study and my writing for Response to Grace Ministries keeps my nose in the Word on a regular basis. But I had never really committed to memorizing God’s Word and hiding it in my heart and mind.

As God started dealing with my heart regarding this matter, I discussed it with my dear friend and accountability partner, Susan. She revealed that God has been speaking to her about the very thing and we committed together to memorize two verses a month throughout the year 2011. In addition, after prayer, Susan felt as if we should memorize verses with a specific theme and/or content. I agreed and began praying for direction.

Through prayer, God directed me to the first verse He desired for me to learn. Psalm 118:1-2 [NIV]

I love you, O LORD, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.
My God is my rock in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

As December got underway, I wrote my verse on a small index card and started memorizing. I was excited with my new adventure and even decorated a small box to hold all my verses in with the following verse:

I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. Psalm 119:11

I had no earthly idea how important the contents of that small box would become in the coming months and year.

When Christmas was just days away, my husband was informed his job would be ending on December 31st. The business contract his company had with the State of Illinois was not being renewed. While there existed a slight chance the company would be given a small extension into the New Year, we knew he would soon be out of a job. I held tight to the verse God has supplied for me and reassured my husband that God would provide.

As my husband diligently searched for a new job, I chose my second verse for January and wrote it on my index card.

You are my hiding place. You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 32:7

Thankfully, God provided my husband with a new job by the middle of February. During this month, God led me to other verses regarding His ability to rescue and save.

Daniel 5:26-27
Proverbs 30:5

March began and my family and I settled into our new routine. With gratitude, I wrote my all time favorite verse on my index card on March 1st.

“For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11

By the middle of March, it became clear that my job would be eliminated at the end of the school year. With budget cuts my school district faced, there was no alternative position for me. I would soon be unemployed. I continued to lean on God and allowed Him to direct me as I choose verse after verse to sustain me.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ.

Before March came to an end, I discovered this soon-to-be forty-year old was expecting another child. I cannot begin to describe to you the feelings I experienced. But more than any other, God supplied this unworthy girl with peace.

I cannot report an ability to quickly quote verbatim each of the verses I have on the index cards in my little box. But I have successfully hidden their message in my heart. My mind is at rest and I experience sweet peace. There are twelve verses stashed there now and each reminds me that He alone is my provider. His plans for me are good.

And I am so thankful that He took the time to prepare me for the journey. His subtle prompting to memorize His word did more to prepare me and give me peace than any other act besides daily time spent in His presence. If we only listen and obey, He is so intentional about providing us exactly what we need.