For as long as I can remember, my father’s Bibles have been full of things – things like funeral programs of loved ones and orders of worship from church programs, but what I always see in his Bibles are index cards with scriptures within the pages. I never really thought about what they might be there for, I just know when I use his Bible, running into one of them is inevitable. I know he studies scripture more than anyone I’ve ever seen, but some part of me always wondered what the significance was of the particular scriptures on the index cards. I never really asked about the index cards, but he finally solved the mystery for me last week, without me having to ask, and I am sharing his wisdom with you with the distinct knowledge that it can only help you navigate life and your faith walk with so much ease.
With that being said, before I get to the meaning of the index cards, I must say that I’ve noticed oftentimes, it is easy for most of us to praise God when He has just blessed us with something, when we get good news or even when we’re having a better day than we anticipated. That part is easy. It almost takes no effort on our part. Since we know every good and perfect thing comes from above (James 1:17), it is not difficult or rather, it should not be difficult for us to pause in those moments when a good or perfect thing presents itself to us to thank God.
However, and you can see where I’m going with this, when we encounter even the slightest inconvenience or difficulty, that praise is not as pronounced and it changes our entire attitude.
God is no longer good and we no longer trust Him. We act as though we do not serve a living God who knows of the trials we face, who has not ordained them for our benefit that we through those trials might draw near with faith to Him and allow Him to be revealed to us. Our praise, then, becomes dependent on our circumstance and not as consistent as the God we serve.
Returning to the significance of the index cards and what my father told me, he said that as Christians, we ought to have a vault of scriptures to comfort us and remind us of the God we serve, especially as we encounter trials and tribulations. As we mature in faith and in Christ, we add to that vault scriptures in such a way that in any circumstance, we are grounded in Him and His word. This vault, these scriptures ensure that God’s words transfer from off the page onto our hearts so even when we encounter difficulty, or are in need of comfort, we remember the promises of God and the intricate ways He has spoken through a cloud of witnesses for our benefit and comfort.
We love to say we can do all through Christ who strengthens us (Phil 4:13), but what proceeds it, the context of why Paul even says that is essential for our understanding.
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”
– Philippians 4:11-12
I spoke earlier about the ways in which we waver in our praise and obedience to God depending on our circumstance and what we are currently going through but in this scripture, Paul shares with us that irregardless of circumstance, wealth and lack, of joy and triumph, he is content. He does not love his life or dictate his praise to God according to what arises but he is content with the full knowledge and awareness that He serves a good God, and one that is with Him in the times of sorrow and triumph.
If we, too, keep a vault, a myriad of scriptures that ground us in the promises of God and of who our God is, then we, too, can be like Paul, content in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in knowing that nevertheless God is with us. Additionally, our vault ensures that like Paul, we are unmoved in any circumstance and our faith in God is maintained, if not perpetually growing, as life ebbs and flows. Like a tree planted by the rivers of the water, we shall not be moved (Psalms 1:3).
I know for certain that in my vault is James 1:2-4 which reminds us to “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” So, even as I am experience rejection, disappointment or an unforeseen trial or tribulation, I remember that it is to sharpen me, to improve me and grow me further in faith.
What’s in yours?
