Since childhood, the Bible has held a significant and impactful role in my life. I still have the Bible my parents gave me when in elementary school. Each night I would read Psalm 27. It begins with “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” These words soothed my spirit and reassured me that God is always with me. I had nothing to be afraid of, not even when the lights were off in my bedroom—God was there to protect me.
When older, it was the words to Joshua when tasked with leading the people into the promised land, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” I was empowered by these words of encouragement and support. The words jumped off the print and into my heart as if they were meant written for me. Whenever I find myself up against a difficult task or when conflicts arise, I hold on to this verse.
When unsure of what decision to make or what path to take, the counsel is found in Proverbs, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” This reminds me to lean on the source of all wisdom, not on my own experiences, knowledge and insights. This is not to say that I don’t take responsibility in making decisions, but it means to seek guidance from the one who sees and knows all things from all perspectives. Why not lean on God? It would be foolish not to.
Although at times the Bible can feel overwhelming, but it can help us and empower us in so many ways. One thing is for sure, the more we read and pay attention to the words of the Bible, the more we discover messages of hope and words fitting where we stand at the time. Do you have a favorite verse? If so, please share with us.
Lord, thank you for the power of Your Word that guides, empowers and transforms us.
