There are times in our Christian walk when trials and temptations come along our path. As we’ve been studying in the book of James, we find it is for the perfecting of our faith through patience. Each of us encounters different struggles or temptations, sometimes even sadness and tragedy. As we “walk on,” as the song says, “with faith in our hearts, you’ll never walk alone. No, you’ll never walk alone.”
That song was a comfort to me as a child before I became a Christian. Then as I grew in Christ and started on this glorious yet oftentimes difficult journey, that song would spring forth from my heart. But there was another aspect of the journey that emerged and that was of scripture hidden in my heart.
When it appeared that I couldn’t go on or the trial seemed too hard, I would grab on to a scripture verse and that would help carry me through. Looking back over my forty-six years with Jesus I see many scriptures that became knots in the rope of my life. They are what I clung to and find that the scripture knots, a particular song, and a peace that passes all understanding have created a three-fold cord that holds me together.
many scriptures that became knots in the rope of my life
Some of those scriptures have been “Be still and know that I am God” Ps. 46:10 (on the death of my baby). “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” Job 1:21 (the end of my first marriage). “Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you….” 2 Chron. 20:17 (taken to court for my children). “The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy” Ps. 147:11 (overcoming cancer). “I know the thoughts (plans) I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (a future and a hope)” Jer. 29:11 (moving forward when our children become adults). “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” 1 Peter 5:7 (when Dick had his four-way bypass). And the most recent “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” Phil. 1:6 along with “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” 1 Thess. 5:24 (finding purpose and direction in a future church).
I am grateful for memorized scriptures, a song in my heart, and the peace that follows as a testimony to God’s perfecting me through the patience of trials and temptations. May the knots of scripture and the songs sung from our hearts be strong enough to get us over the finish line in this life’s race. Dear brothers and sisters, what ever you may be going through – grab a scripture knot and hold on.