These passages from God’s Holy Word are some of my favorites because, throughout my walk with the Lord, they have represented what the Bible really is: our comfort, our confidence, and our compass. In my lowest valleys and on my highest mountains, God has been all that and more to me.
These verses aren’t in any particular order. My church uses the King James Version, which is written in old English but is still profound and discernible in most cases. Since I’ll be explaining each verse’s importance to me and what I understand of its meaning, I’ll quote from KJV.
- Lamentations 3:22-24
“It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore I will hope in him.”
Even in a book written to express grief and sorrow, there is still praise and reliance on God. The reality is, God could have thrown me away. He could have consumed us all, but because of His faithfulness, mercy, and compassion, we are saved and can enter into the presence of God. There has been a lot of lament and anguish in my life. There have been seasons when I’ve doubted and wandered away from God, but God has never forsaken me. Great is His faithfulness.
2. II Timothy 1:7
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
I love that this verse is on our website, because it embodies the meaning of Bold Strong & Free. We’ve talked about fear on the blog recently, so you might remember me saying I’m afraid of a lot of things, and I’ve been fighting an uphill battle to face those fears head-on. God doesn’t want us to cower behind our fears or use our doubts as excuses. He wants us to step forward boldly, be strong in Him, and walk in freedom. With a new major health diagnosis and a lot of uncertainty over the next few months, I’m getting another opportunity to choose to live this out.
3. Psalm 19:1
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”
Even though I can’t see most of God’s creation, I still know how beautiful it is.
I can see the sunlight, so when it’s shining brightly it reminds me of God’s radiant power. On one snowy day this winter, I felt like God was showing me each unique flake as a reminder of His artistry and creativity in all His creation, including us.
4. II Corinthians 12:9
“And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
When we are weak, God is strong. We live in a world where we try to hide our weaknesses and appear perfect, but God is the only one who is truly perfect. I can spend time lamenting my infirmities, my blindness, my health condition, or I can boast about how God has walked me through my greatest trials.
5. Romans 10:14-15
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
I don’t always live out this verse, but this is what I aspire to. I want to be the feet that carry the Good News. I want to boldly proclaim the Gospel to a lost and dying world. I want to reach people with compassion and the comfort God gave to me.
I hope these verses, along with the rest of God’s Word, will be your comfort during trials, your confidence in who God is and how much He loves you, and your compass to guide you.
Katelyn