Earthworms have five hearts.
Ladybugs squirt smelly liquid from their knees when they get scared.
If you run in the rain, you will get about 50% wetter than if you stand still.
These fascinating tidbits of information are directly from a book that my mom gave Caleb for Christmas–Weird but True, 300 Outrageous Facts (from National Geographic Kids). Did you know that about ladybugs? I didn’t even know they had knees, let alone the ability to squirt stuff from them.
I kind of wish I could squirt smelly liquid from my knees when I get scared. I think that might be super useful. Sadly, I lack the ability.
How do we know any of this stuff is true? I could dig up an earthworm and dissect it, looking for all five hearts. I could examine ladybugs for smelly knees. I could run in the rain and see if I’m wetter than when I stood still. But I think we all know I’m not going to do any of those things. I’m going to take National Geographic’s word for it, like most sane Americans.
This brings me to the Bible I have sitting on the table next to me. This particular edition has almost two-thousand pages of Scripture and notes, all teaching me things about God that I wouldn’t know otherwise. Things like:
Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:24, NIV)
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. (Psalm 8:1)
And the best of all:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)
So here we have verses about God’s protection, His glory, and His deep, sacrificial love for us. How do we know any of them are true? I can’t speak for anyone but myself, but when faced with doubt I take one step in faith. One step of obedience and trust. And then God takes a giant leap towards me, proving himself faithful. I take one more baby step and He proves himself again.
He has never let me down! He proves His Word to be true over and over. My prayer for you today is that you will experience this same comfort and love as He proves himself to you.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:1 & 6)
