Eight Power Verses to Memorize This Year
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Many of us know what I often call the “coffee cup” Bible verses — those so popular you often see them on a T-shirt, coffee cup, or notecard. They’re popular for a reason, as they crystallize the important tenets of our faith and remind us of critical truths.
Most of us who have lived enough years on this earth can testify that bad things happen to good people. Indeed, Jesus told us we should expect hardship as his followers.
Yet we can trust that for those of us who love him, even our most difficult tragedies will be used by God for his good purpose. This applies even to situations that claim our own life. God will use it for good.
We might not experience or even witness for ourselves the good that will follow, but somewhere and somehow, we can trust that God’s good purpose is at work and will prevail.
Who do you represent? We might be such a huge fan of a certain sports team that we wear the jersey and adorn our vehicle in banners and colors, clearly informing the world about our allegiance. We buy season tickets to the games or gather neighbors every weekend to watch our team play.
Or maybe it’s something else — maybe we’re so committed to a political party, club, or corporation that its interests become merged with our own.
There’s nothing wrong with being a sports fan or a club member, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a little innocent fun.
But if we are Christians, let’s remember who we really represent: Jesus Christ. He comes before any sports team, political party, or club membership. And if we’re not living our lives in a way that points to him and leads others to him, we’re not doing our jobs right as his representatives.
This verse reminds us that the things of this world are temporary, and we need to keep our hearts and lives centered on what is really important: the Lord.
Indeed, we have a big job to do: represent Christ on earth. Jesus tells us we are to go and make disciples throughout the world (Matthew 28:19) and that others will know us by our love for one another (John 13:35). Here, Paul gives us a title for that job: ambassador. Representative. It’s a comfort to know what is expected of us.
Check any bookstore and you’ll find the self-help section chock full of advice. Indeed, there’s so much so-called wisdom out there in the world that it can be difficult to know which path to follow. Competing voices and guidance becomes confusing.
But when we are troubled or confused about what to do (or not do), we can take comfort in knowing there’s one voice that stands above the rest: the Lord’s.
God tells us specifically through this verse that we should lean on him, acknowledge him as our Lord, and have faith that he will handle the situation for his good purpose. We don’t have to figure things out on our own.
If we lean on God, God will lead the way.
Make no mistake: Spiritual warfare is very real. Despite what some will say, demons aren’t an old-fashioned way of describing mental illness or epilepsy. The devil and his minions truly are at work in the world, and they are our enemy. As 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” He’s real, and he’s scary.
But he’s also no match for the Lord, and we who belong to Jesus can take tremendous comfort in this. This verse lets us know that we don’t face the devil and his schemes on our own. God gives his children armor — the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, and more — to help strengthen us and fight the evil one.
We have protection.
Wherever you find yourself right now, whether it’s a season of plenty or a season of despair, pray on these verses and know that you are never alone. God is with you every step of the way, and his holy word is there to help.
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