Today, I give thanks to God for His Word given to us.
All through my life, the Scripture has spoken to my heart and changed my life in so many ways.
As a teenager when I was having a hard time, my pastor's wife wrote out this scripture on an index card that I probably still have somewhere:
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
When I got the news that my brother had been killed, I grabbed my Bible and read two scriptures in Psalms over and over again: Psalm 34 and 46
"I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Selected verses from Psalm 34
As we were driving in the dark through the night, this scripture felt like it was written specifically for me!
"God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day."
Psalm 46:1-5
There are other scriptures I continually return to in hard times:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
“Do not fear, 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,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior"
Isaiah 43:1b-3a
"He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.
Psalm 121:3
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17
I'm thankful for a God who speaks into my life on a daily basis through His Word!
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us,
and we saw His glory,
glory as of the only begotten from the Father,
full of grace and truth.
John 1:14