Favorites

Psalm 119:1. Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart, that I may not sin against You.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had favorites – those clothes, boots, foods, books, words, hiking trails, music, weather, movies, and pictures that just fit me in a way that nothing else can. Favorites are so satisfying in their placement, color, feel, and usefulness. Some favorites come and go, but the best stay like good friends and always bring a smile to my heart and face, again and again.

Yet favorites aren’t always the easy, comfortable, fitting, and best choices every day when considering the needs of that day. For example, if I’ve had too much to eat the day before or have an important meeting, my favorite jeans aren’t the perfect thing to wear that day. However, my favorite jeans have their special place in my closet and are often pulled out and enjoyed, again and again.

Similarly, favorite Bible verses are those which speak deep to my soul and bring a smile to my heart and face when I pull them out to enjoy, again and again. They may not always be easy or comfortable but they are always fitting and best choices for the needs of any and all of my days.

Another wonderful thing about favorite Bible verses is that there is always plenty of room for them in my choices, finances, closets, calendar, time, and attention. They fit my life in ways that nothing else can. And there’s always room for new favorites to join the ranks in marching alongside as faith-builders for today and tomorrow.

So while we’re talking about favorite Bible verses, let’s dig a little deeper in their application to our lives as markers in our lives as Christ-followers:

1. Memorials – verses God has used to set as markers of His working in my life

Example: Psalm 20:7-8 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall but we rise up and stand firm.

• 2. Motivators – verses which always put more steel into my backbone for the day

Example: Zechariah 4:6 Not by sight nor by power but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

• 3. Mountains – verses which have helped me trust God to climb or break down the mountains in my path

Example: Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

• 4. Manifested – verses which have come alive in my life through their application to my faith, hope, and courage in God alone

Example: Matthew 6:33 Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

These verses (and oh, so many more!) are favorites that have sustained, supported, and strengthened me for many years in many challenges, including the now of waiting for that which may never come.

And these verses (and oh, so many more!) can bring hope to you today…for example, think on the truth that God calls each of us and all of us His favorites as in Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings and Ephesians 1:4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. Be assured, beloved, that there are many more such verses as these – let’s revel today in the adventure of finding new favorite verses and sharing them with others!

Please share a favorite Bible verse (or 2 or 3) in the comments below so all of us can be encouraged by them as they remind us of our strong, faithful, and true God Who wrote them to us and works through them for us today.

Written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2021