TRUST IN THE LORD WITH AL YOUR HEART

Dining with Jesus Christian Episodes

THIS IS TABLE ROCK FELLOWSHIP – PASTORS RYAN LADEN


I wanted to personally thank all of you that joined with the church family in praying for the health and safety of my wife Amy after her fall while hiking in the Redwoods National Park last week. Your expressions of love and generous concern were a real source of strength and encouragement to her.

Our church has welcomed her with open arms and we feel loved and well cared for by our family of faith.

Importance of God’s Word

I wanted to begin your week’s devotional journey by reminding you of the extreme importance that regular Bible reading and exposure to biblical truth plays in your ability to not only survive in times of crisis and challenge but to actually grow and mature through the troubles.

This was especially true for me as I tried to cope with all the challenges of being unexpectedly trapped in a town that I did not know with all the kids and I trying to care for Amy and meet the needs of a family in a state of turmoil.

During these unexpected days of trial I did not have any of my “normal” Bible study supplies or times of devotion to help me stay focused on the Lord. Instead, I leaned on my past study of God’s word and meditated on a passage of scripture from Proverbs three that I had previously memorized.

That passage was:

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

Proverbs 3:1-10 NIV-11

While all of this teaching is worthy of study and application, the familiar lines of verses five and six were brought back into my memory time and time again as I spoke with the rescue team that met us on the mountain, with the hospital staff and patients that I encountered while caring for

Amy, and with the kind owners of the Curly Redwood Lodge that made room for my displaced family.

Trust in the LORD with All Your Heart

In the good times, trusting the Lord is easy. Trust in these situations looks a lot like gratitude and praise of the Lord for his generosity.

In the hard times, trusting the Lord with ALL your heart requires faith. We must believe that the same God of the good times is active in our lives while we struggle in the hard times.

Lean not on Your Own Understanding

Oooooh this is a hard one in the tough times. This is why the Holy Spirit brought this passage to me over and over during those long and difficult days. I needed to be reminded that the Lord knows more than me and that I can and must allow his wisdom to unfold.

In All Your Ways Submit to Him

Did I do this perfectly? Nope. I definitely struggled to let go of my perception of control and let the Lord be Lord over me and over my family. I needed the Word of God to again remind me that this is God’s will for us all.

He Will Make Your Paths Straight

Does this mean that the struggles will dissipate and the pain will no longer be present in our lives? Not at all. We went through, and are still in the middle of a challenging time where we do not see the way out of the pain.

But as I trusted Jesus, leaned on his wisdom, submitted my desire for control to the Lord, my path was indeed laid before me with the peace and confidence that can only come from the gentle but certain leadership of the Lord.


I hope that the Lord similarly uses his word in you today!

In Christ,

Ryan Laden

OUR MISSION AS A CHURCH

“TO ENCOURAGE AND EQUIP EACH OTHER IN LOVE TO KNOW JESUS AND MAKE HIM KNOWN”

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1 Comment

  1. Trusting in God I think is something that all Christians have struggled with. However, we must have more faith in him because our lives depend solely on him. Thank you for sharing this.

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