God speaks to us through His Word in ways we are not always immediately aware of. The verses in this post helped point out a root issue in my life, an attitude that was harmful to my spiritual health. Resolving this was a game-changer, because we can never be too prepared for difficult days.
Putting off The Inevitable
I remember driving home with my wife one night. I suddenly felt her eyes on me, as though she was trying to warn me something was wrong. She would look at me, and then at the instrument panel, then back to me, as if to tell me something.
When I finally looked down, sure enough, the gas gauge was totally on empty. I immediately started to pull off the freeway to go find a gas station. My wife seemed to find my panic amusing. She patted me on the shoulder and said mockingly, “Don’t stop now honey! Let’s see if we can make it home!”
After forgetting to fill the gas tank one time too many, and ending up stranded, I’ve learned my lesson. These days, I try to keep my tank at least half full.
In the same way, we can find ourselves spiritually “out of gas” before we realize it.
The Danger
Getting spiritually depleted is more subtle than having our car’s gas tank run dry. Our bodies do not have a built in spiritual instrument panel we can refer to. Our friends may not even be able to tell. How built up we are in the Spirit will be only revealed in the crises we all inevitably go through.
The only option is to plan to “tank up” regularly. Because there is no such thing as being too spiritually prepared.
One of my memory verses in Proverbs speaks to this truth.
Proverbs 21:20
The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.
I’m learning to plan ahead, “topping off” my spiritual gas tank to stay filled and refilled. Because in my daily life, I leak.
These days, I am also rediscovering the value of prayer. I frequently “let my hose run” in prayer. But unless I also read and memorize the Word of God regularly, I risk forgetting God’s promises.
I memorize Scripture every day, because the best way to prepare for a crisis is to be armed with God’s promises.
When life’s storms hit, it is too late.
A Battle
As many of you know, my wife is battling cancer. Ten days ago, she was suddenly not doing well at all. An unwise food choice was all it took to send her body into an unexpected storm. She was in unbearable pain, unable to lie down or stand.
With our health facility closed, medical options were limited. Terry did not want to go to ER. I am not a doctor, but I had the Word of God.
There is a reason God’s Word is referred to as our “daily bread.” Bread is a staple in much of the world. You won’t die if you go without food for a day, but your body will feel it.
We do without our “daily bread,” God’s Word, at our own peril.
When He was tempted in the wilderness, Jesus defeated the devil with three Scripture verses. Here’s one:
Matthew 4:4
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Persevering in Prayer
So what happened to my wife? Recognizing we were under spiritual attack, we fought back using our spiritual weapons. I prayed Scripture over her, rehearsing God’s promises.
Was I doing this to remind God? No. He hasn’t forgotten His Word. I was doing it to remind my wife and myself. Little by little, our faith became reenergized.
We battled in prayer through the day, and into the night. How many Scripture verses did I need? I don’t remember, but we prayed for hours.
By His grace, Terry finally drifted off to sleep, and the next morning she seemed completely revived. She was acting like the previous day’s trauma was a distant memory.
I am so thankful she feels better, and more determined than ever to keep my tank full, marinating in prayer and in the Word, just in case.
Until next week, stay filled with His promises, and happy memorizing!
“Plan ahead: It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.”