Several years ago, while doing homework for whatever bible study my women’s group was undertaking at the time, I came across the following verse:
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Proverbs 10:19
An image of my 6 or 7 year old son trying unsuccessfully to talk his way out of something immediately popped into my head (it seemed I was constantly telling him he would get into less trouble if he’d just stop talking) and I burst out laughing. I was fairly certain this verse was put in the bible just for him and verifiable proof that God has a sense of humor.
I’ve never been good at memorizing scripture, but I certainly didn’t want to forget this verse so I wrote it down in a fat little 4×6 spiral binder with a quick blurb about why I liked it. Over time I recorded other passages – some funny, some pertinent to my situation at the time, and some encouraging. Some I found during a formal bible study, some I found as I was just perusing the good book and some I was shown by my friend, Beth.
All of that came to an end when I got sick seven years ago and I put the scripture journal away. I’m a little sad I didn’t keep up with it because it would probably be full by now. I came across my fat little binder in the drawer of my coffee table a few months ago. There are still a lot of empty pages in it, but not for long.
I would LOVE it if you would share some of your favorite verses here. It’s a really fat little binder and I’m going to need help filling it up!
For me it has been Jeremiah 29:11 and the following verses. Lots of folks just have verse 11 but the following verses remind me while God has a plan for us, we need to do the work of seeking His will for us.
29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
29:12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.
29:13 You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart…
Hey Jen, One of my favorite verses in the whole world is Zephaniah 3:17. It’s small verse, but has great meaning.
17 The LORD your God is with you,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with his love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
The first part of this verse says a lot to me about the presence of God. I am reminded that I must take time to be with God as He is with me and should not be neglected. Brother Lawrence said, “If I were a preacher, I should above all things preach the practice of the presence of God.” His presence is what gives me peace and strength for the day.
The next part of this scripture reminds me of the movie Brave Heart…I know sounds crazy. However, when I hear the words, “He is mighty to save.” I picture the part at the end of the movie when William Wallace is being tortured and as he is stretched out and mutilated, he is offered mercy if he proclaims allegiance to the king. Wallace then cries from the deepest most inner part of his soul, “FREEDOM!!!” It makes me think of Jesus and His strength and how He is mighty and saved me.
The idea of God “taking delight” in me personally blows my mind! I love the scripture that says every hair on my head is numbered by God…very personal. You see, recently losing all of my hair to chemotherapy I was told that it may not all come back in, but for some reason I felt like God really liked my hair…I know…silly, but it’s something I have always felt. Now my hair is coming in thicker, curlier, and out of control. Maybe, what I felt was real; God does take delight in me and my hair…LOL.
When I think of this “quieting love” mentioned in the next section, I picture an old married couple maybe on a front porch or in front of a fire. She quietly rocks in her chair while knitting a scarf or a sweater for him. And he sits across from her reading his book while his pipe gently hangs to one side of his mouth; he looks up at her and smiles. They are comfortable, and totally relaxed in being together, quiet in their love. This is the picture that comes to mind when I think of God’s quieting love it’s God and me rocking together.
Lastly, “He rejoices over you with singing.” This verse reminds me that God has a song for me, and I must not let the noises of the day take this song away. I have to ask myself, “Are the messages that I hear songs from God rejoicing over me, or do I hear and take to heart, “you can’t do that; you’re not good enough; you’re not smart enough ;you’re not thin enough; you’re not pretty enough; you can’t because you’re a woman.” I have to be reminded that the sour notes I hear are not what God says, because He rejoices over me with singing and His song is true!
Sorry to have gone on so long but, Zephaniah 3:17 is a small verse that has great meaning to me and just wanted to share with you!