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Aug.13.04: Light for the Day - "Ten to Two"
-- Proverbs 3:5
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and
lean not on your own understanding."
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Ten to Two
Several years ago a group of fledging students sat around the old oak table in Ruth Bell Graham’s kitchen, listening to her stories. They were lonely and homesick. College life had been ruder than expected. Ruth’s eyes glowed as she told of her own bouts with loneliness while a boarding student in Korea, and again during her husband’s extended absences while preaching. But the joy of God’s presence during Bible study helped ease the pain, she said. “Bible students are wide-eyed travelers in the midst of wonders.”
She showed them her little notebook, one she had worn out several times. “I’ve found a leather craftsman who rebinds it for me when necessary,” she explained. “Here I jot journal entries, stories I hear, and spiritual lessons God teaches me. As you record your Bible studies, over the years you’ll actually be compiling your own personal Bible commentary.”
The next day, one of the students opened his heart to her in private, admitting defeat in his Christian life. The depth of her wisdom was veiled only by the simplicity of her response. She told him of the twelve spies in Numbers 13. They were sent by Moses to scrutinize the Promised Land. It was theirs for the taking, for God had assured them of his presence and of his conquering power. But ten of the spies lost their nerve, seeing only giants, walled cities, and strong defenses. Joshua and Caleb, on the other hand, were undaunted and full of faith. “Let us go up at once and possess the land,” they said, “for the Lord our God is with us.”
“Now,” asked Ruth, “what was the difference between the two sets of spies? Just this … ” She paused for effect.
“The ten compared themselves to their problems,
but the two compared their problems with God!”
And I will never forget her words that day, or the discerning smile that punched them home.
-- Morgan, Robert J.
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-- Isaiah 12:2
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.
The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song;
He has become my salvation."
-- 2 Timothy 3:16,17
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
-- Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope,
Patient in affliction,
Faithful in prayer.
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-- Ecclesiastes 3:14
"I know that everything God does will endure forever;
nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it.
God does it so that men will revere Him."
-- Proverbs 3:5
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
-- Psalms 9:10
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
-- Luke 9:58
Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests,
but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
-- John 14:1
"Let not your heart be troubled;
you believe in God, believe also in Me."
-- Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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