For over forty years I have been blessed by the Word of God made alive by His Spirit. I could write pages on how various passages of Scripture have tremendously blessed me, so let me just mention five that have kept me alive spiritually.
Psalm 116
Psalm 116 pictures my salvation in Christ–past, present and future. God rescued me from suicidal thoughts (note verses 3 and 8), sin and a host of other things. With a juvenile police record and grades so horrible no college wanted me, I was a failure by seventeen. However, when I surrendered my life to Christ on the night of January 25, 1970, the peace of God flooded my soul and I was ushered into a personal relationship with Him through Christ. I still had no plans for life after graduation, but God had one for me. A few weeks later He called me to the ministry. I gladly accepted. I read Psalm 116 ever January 25. Verse 13 reminds me of His call on my life: “I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.”
Hebrews 4:13
The true Christian walk is one of continual dedication to Christ, even when facing hard times. Rough times occur anywhere, even when in Bible institute while being trained for the ministry. Though I do not recall exactly why, I remember a time I was very distraught, probably upset over what some were saying about me. I was still spiritually young so I was overly concerned about what others thought. As I whined and cried before the Lord I happened to turn to Hebrews 4:13: “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” This verse brings great comfort to me whenever I am beleaguered emotionally or physically. God knows my thoughts, feelings, pains and more. Reading further in that chapter we see He has provided for us the best High Priest ever, Jesus Christ.
1 John 1:9
There are times we ask for problems. While someone who has turned to Christ has turned their back on iniquity, we do slip. We sin. The Christian walk is a learning process. Our heavenly Father, indeed, knows that and has made provision for His disciples in Christ. Written by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle John to Christians, 1 John 1:9 states, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I, like many other Christians, have to resort to this promise when I fail our Savior. This verse should not be viewed flippantly, where one thinks, “If I sin, God will forgive me, so I will sin.” Nay, rather we should realize that God is just in forgiving us because Jesus took the horrible punishment for our sin.
James 4:8
Problems still may persist even after one receives from Christ their needed forgiveness. Satan often nags even years after an incident. And, if he does not hound us about our forgiven sins, he conjures up fears, depression and more. There are time that we feel distant from God. Perhaps we are. Either way there is a promise in James 4:8 I often rely upon: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” Keeping that in mind, when I’m spiritually down I purposely praise God no matter how I feel. Often I use the praise portion of Revelation 4:8 to begin my time of worship: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
Prior to surrendering to Christ, I was really without direction. So many religions, philosophies, influences and opinions befuddled my mind. But after asking Christ to come within to dwell, and upon dwelling in Him, I find an abundance of peace as I practice Proverbs 3:5-6 . It reads, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” He directs by His written Word and precious Holy Spirit as long as we depend upon Him.
In all, I enjoy a life of peace, even in the midst of tribulation, as I adhere to these precious portions of Holy Scripture along with many others like them. I encourage you to do so too.