Forty years ago, we had just bought our home. We had been married for three years. My wife Tammy was only twenty-four years old, but she was losing her eyesight. We went to doctors and had tests, but her condition continued to worsen. We were referred to the University of Iowa Hospitals for a second opinion. It was there that Tammy was diagnosed with a brain tumor. In many ways, our lives would never be the same.

I called our pastor from my hotel room and he gave me a verse from scripture that I still hold dear:

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  Psalm 56:3

We know that all scripture is inspired (2 Timothy 3:16):

All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching,

for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness.

Still, there are some verses, or passages of scripture that have become sweeter and more precious to us over the years. Shortly after Tammy’s Mom fell ill in August, 2021, we were going through her desk and found a notebook that included two pages of nearly seventy verses or passages of scripture. Although we could never ask her about the list, we can assume that the verses listed were very important to her. Do you have a similar group of scripture verses or passages that are dear to you?

I have been posting graphics of scripture verses on social media for the past few years. I love hearing from friends that a particular verse is a favorite of theirs or in one instance how a particular verse helped a friend through their trial with cancer.

The Bible is my favorite book, and Romans is my favorite book of the Bible. Romans chapter eight is my favorite chapter of the Bible. There are many wonderful verses from that chapter including:

v. 1: Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.

v.18: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

v. 28: And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

v. 29-30: For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters;and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

v. 31: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

v. 32: He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

v. 38: For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In addition to Psalm 56:3, some of my other favorite verses or passages from scripture are:

Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people. This is my favorite verse for my work.

2 Corinthians 5:21: He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. This describes what Martin Luther called “The Great Exchange”, where Christ took on our sin and in exchange gave us His righteousness.

Revelation 21: 3-4: And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21 tells us about the new heaven and new earth. Verse 4 in particular has been dear to me since my Mom died at the age of 60 twenty-seven years ago.

Psalm 51 – a wonderful passage of repentance.

John 14: 1-3: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” 

Genesis 50:20: As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good. A wonderful verse about God’s providence.

As we read the Bible over the years, particular verses or passages will serve as comfort or encouragement to us. What are some of those verses or passages for you?