Hidden in My Heart

Psalm 56:3
What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.

Miss Ruby seemed so tall as I stared up at her from the little wooden chair where I sat each Sunday morning as a three year old. My favorite seat was the one right in front of her because when I looked up, I could see the wrinkles around her mouth turn up when she smiled. Sitting there I almost seemed to catch some of the joy and enthusiasm that spilled over as she told Bible stories, taught us songs, and gave us verses to learn from God's Word. As she taught, from her curly white hair down to her black-laced shoes, she was a picture of gentleness and wisdom. The thing that impressed me most, even then, was that Miss Ruby Mitchell believed with all her heart what she taught.

She took it for truth when she read that God parted the waters of the Red Sea and lead the people of Israel across the riverbed on dry ground. She believed it when she told us Jesus took five biscuits and two ordinary fish from a little boy's lunch and made it feed a multitude. She had no doubts that Christ could speak and by His words calm a raging sea.

It was with that same confidence that she reminded us often, "Now children, always remember, the Lord will never leave you. You can always trust Him to take care of you. Then one day she gave us a verse to secure that thought. I can still see her standing before us shaking her finger as she spoke, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee, Psalm 56:3. Now you repeat it," And we did. In fact, there was something wonderful about the rhythm and rhyme of those words and I repeated them often, especially because Miss Ruby wanted me to.

Those words went with me through childhood and adolescence. When my husband and I went to Africa as missionaries early in our adult life, it was the words that Miss Ruby taught me that quieted my heart when I felt alone and afraid. Even today when the trials of life seem overwhelming, it's as if Miss Ruby is standing beside me whispering, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee, Psalm 56:3."

Because she believed it when she taught, it was easy for me to believe it, too. As I've trusted God to help me with the multitude of situations over the years, He has proved Himself faithful. Miss Ruby was right!

Dear Father, when fear and doubt come my way, bring quickly to my mind the words I learned so very long ago. Give me faith to trust You and to glorify You as I face the challenges of each new day.

By Ann Shorb
©Copyright Ann Shorb, 2006

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Related articles and devotionals:
Fix Your Eyes On Jesus
Cast Your Care On Him
Bless the Lord, O My Soul

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