A few days ago, I was feeling a little down and so I flipped open my Bible. I don't do this as often as I should--usually I pray in moments when I'm feeling sad or lonely. Or make myself a cup of tea. Both together make for a winning combination.
But I'm trying to read the Bible more often and trying to grow and develop that side of my faith. I don't want the Bible to be reserved for Sundays. So I flipped open to a random page and read:
"Brothers and sisters: If God is for us, who can be against us? He did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?
No, in all these things, we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
-Romans 8: 31-39
Not only was this a perfect verse to bring my mood up--remembering there is nothing that can separate us from God's love--but it was also one of the readings we had in our wedding. One of my favorite ones, too. And I was pointed right to it on a bad day! A little tear showed up in my eye as I was reading.
Then, just a few days later, something else happened. My husband and I were listening to a Tim Keller sermon and we (again randomly) chose one called "Does God Control Everything?" And guess what scripture passage was at the center of this sermon? The very same one from Romans Chapter 8. I was astonished when the reader began to say these familiar words. How unlikely that the same verse--one that already has so much meaning for me--would show up in my life twice in one week. I think the Holy Spirit must be at work.
Do you have a favorite verse? Or a story that reminds you of God's presence in your life?
I love these verses and always think of the Chris Tomlin song "Our God" when I'm feeling discouraged. I agree that the Holy Spirit was at work to bring you those verses by randomly flipping through the Bible and in the sermon- God is so cool!
ReplyDeleteHere are a couple:
ReplyDelete"God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God." Isaiah 43:1-3
He is so cool! :) I'll have to listen to that song now.
ReplyDeleteThese are GREAT ones. How could anyone continue to feel discouraged after reading these words? Powerful.
ReplyDeleteI`m not a religious person, but lately I`ve been feeling a bit inspired to pull out a bible and do some reading. Thanks for the extra push.
ReplyDeleteThat's really good to hear :) I think the Bible is incredibly inspiring, whether or not you are religious. I hope you get something out of it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kate, this is especially compelling at this difficult point in my life....thank you for sharing, more than a tear filled up my eye; it was a deluge.
ReplyDeleteChristine, you're in my prayers. I hope that this verse and others like it will bring you lots of inner peace and comfort. A few comments up, the verses shared by "anon" are beautiful too, remembering that God does not test us beyond our strength....
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