Day 201- Thankful for favorite verses

I was still in grade school when I got my first Bible. Our Sunday school teacher told us that if we would memorize the 23rd Psalm she would buy us our very own Bible. So I did, and she did!

When I was a teenager, I had troubles getting to sleep at night, and I would silently quote the 23rd Psalm, and The Lord used it to calm my mind and help me get to sleep.

“The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23

When I turned sixteen, my parents got me a New American Standard Bible. The Holy Spirit gave me a lot of new discoveries as I read that Bible almost every day, and at some point I read it all the way through.

This Scripture was such an amazing find one day when I had been struggling with this exact problem:

“When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19 NASB

Around the same time period, I learned to play the guitar. Some of the songs that I played were scriptures, word for word, put to music.

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

(The song added, “Teach me Lord, teach me Lord, to wait.)

“Whom have I in heaven but You? There is none upon earth that is I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:25,26

These verses became such a deep part of my worship, and over time I would learn what it meant for Him to be my portion, my all in all.

When I lived overseas and had very little contact with friends and family at home, this next verse became my absolute favorite of all.

“For He has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b

Over time, I learned the importance of keeping short accounts with God, making sure to confess sins of any type the same day or as soon as He helped me realize that I had grieved His Spirit in some way or another. These next verses were/are such a comfort:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

And:

“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.” Psalm 103:8 NASB

During the time that I was single parenting, I was thinking one day about the Lord being my shepherd, and that took on such a special meaning for me at that time. I felt so amazingly protected in His loving care!

Another day during that time period, I was reading the following passage, and the Lord’s love for me moved me to tears.

“Oh LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You have enclosed me behind and before and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me is too high I cannot attain to it.” Psalm 139:1,2,5,6 NASB

Today I’m thankful for these favorite verses and how the Lord spoke to me through them, and continues to do so!

I’m thankful for the comfort and joy that He has brought to my heart through these verses!

I’m thankful that He always keeps his promises!

What about you? Do you have any favorite verses? If so what is the story behind why they are your favorite?