Proverbs 3:5-6 were the very first verses from the Bible that I had ever memorized when I became a Christian in 1980, while attending my new Bible study.

Before that, even though I went to church as a child, I had no idea that people would memorize scripture! I then learned that, not only did they memorize scripture, but it was a common thing to do and an integral part of growing in the Lord.

At that time it seemed like such a difficult thing to do, but I was determined to memorize not only that one, but many others through the years. Right away, I got my chance to see for myself how God loves and honors us when we do this. 

I had a small clothing store at the time where I rented space with a monster of a landlord! It was coming to the end of my lease, and I had to decide whether I was going to stay there or not. I just felt I could simply not stay there, it was that bad… but what else was I do? Close my store? I couldn’t find another place to move it, and I loved my store!

On the very last day that I had to decide and let her know what I was going to do, I asked my husband for the millionth time… “Bill, what should I do?” He had always given me the answers in the past, but this time he said, “Elaine, I don’t know!” WHAT…You don’t know! You always know… But this time he had no answer for me.

Feeling so lost, with tears in my eyes I began the 20-minute drive to my business. Then I looked down, and I saw the written verses on a paper on the seat of my car. Ok Lord…Here it goes… I started rehearsing the verses in my head over and over again, but I just could not believe a lightning bolt would hit me with an idea along my short trip.

Suddenly I felt the Lord telling me I needed to believe it with all my heart and soul. I tried to believe, but other thoughts would come into my head such as “Elaine, nothing has happened in all these months, do you really think something is going to happen in the next few minutes?” But I began to physically shake those negative thoughts out of my head and kept repeating the Bible verses…now out loud all the way there. I came to the place in my heart that I DID believe the Lord was going to answer me. Somehow I would trust God alone. 

The Lord wanted me to speak back His scriptures to Him, and believe with all my heart, and I was going to believe that He WOULD do something that was beyond me and beyond my human ability. I was trusting in the Lord alone. 

Well, I had arrived, and I got out of my car…walked to my door and put the key in the door, seeing no one around me. As I turned the key, there was a customer of mine, Nina, standing right behind me.  “Elaine,” she said, ”, “Do you know someone who wants to sell a store?” I dropped my purse on the ground, turned around to see her, and it all began at that moment!

Nina wound up becoming my business partner. We moved into a brand-new development that was the center of town! We grew to have ourselves plus 10 employees and became extremely successful. What a story, right! God honored me that day…Not only that but Nina became a Christian also!

Whenever you are feeling there is no hope…pray these verses…believe as if it already happened with no doubt whatsoever. You will feel it when you come to the place that you really believe, and God will do much more than you can ever imagine or think.

It’s amazing to us to know that the God, Creator of this universe, maker of all things actually cares enough to prove himself to us when we believe.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6.