Many voices demand our allegiance to their opinions, but there is one source of absolute truth: God’s Holy Word.
My heart hurts as our society’s moral foundation appears to crumble. Everything feels topsy-turvy as many pursue what’s right in their own eyes. Life looks scary and uncertain. What can we depend on in this roller-coaster world? We need hope. Where do we go for truth?
Many voices demand our allegiance to their opinions, but there is one source of absolute truth: God’s Holy Word. The Bible is a supernatural book that still changes lives hundreds of years after being written.
When I need hope, I prayerfully go to the Bible. I look to Jesus, our unshakable foundation. Scripture tells us, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope” (Romans 15:4 NIV).
Here are ten of my favorite Bible verses I meditate on for hope and encouragement:
1. Hebrews 13:5b
“God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5b NIV).
We love our family and friends, but no one can guarantee their presence. People change, move, die, and despite the best intentions, we’re sometimes forsaken. Yet, our souls long to know there’s someone who will never leave us.
I’ve experienced a broken engagement, the death of both parents and many others I loved, friends who have moved away or who drifted away, and relationships I counted on that disappointed me.
God’s promise to never leave us is the rock I cling to. He’s always been there for me since I trusted Christ 55-plus years ago. I may drift from Him, but He’s always responded with love and grace the moment I cry out. He will never move, divorce, die, change, or stop listening and loving. Considering this magnificent promise, we never need to fear.
2. Romans 10:13
“For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’” (Romans 10:13 NIV).
In earlier years, I struggled painfully with doubting my salvation. Legalistic messages adding works or conditions to faith in Christ caused me to doubt. But God’s promise of eternal life for believers in Jesus calmed my soul.
Why did Jesus have to die? Because He knows the impossibility of us being good enough to live in God’s holy presence. Only Jesus could live the perfect life required to satisfy the law of God.
I stand on God’s promise that, because I believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, I have eternal salvation.
3. 1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV).
Christ-followers belong to Him forever, but we will battle our sinful nature as long as we’re on this earth. Thankfully, we’re no longer slaves to sin. We can resist wrong desires and actions by relying on the Holy Spirit. Perfection comes when we enter heaven.
Because unconfessed sin hinders our relationship with God and eventually hardens our hearts, confessing our sins is essential. He promises that when we humbly admit our wrongdoing, He cleanses us from all unrighteousness. How encouraging!
Thank You, Jesus, for forgiving and cleansing me of all my sins. I need Your strength every day, every moment, to live for You.
4. Philippians 1:6
“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6 NIV).
When immaturity is evident in professing Christians, including myself, I cherish this promise. Once Jesus begins a work in someone’s heart, He finishes it. But we won’t see the final results until the day Jesus Christ returns.
God is always working in the hearts of His children. Some may resist more than others, but He will complete His work.
5. John 10:28
“‘I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand’” (John 10:28 NIV).
If we could lose the eternal life granted to us when we trusted in Jesus Christ, then we should rename it "temporary life." He says we’re His forever.
Our enemy, Satan, will lie to us, causing us to doubt our security in Christ. Our flesh will disappoint us and cause us to question if God would let us live with Him. But He promises His children are safe in His hands and no one can take them away.
6. John 16:33
“‘I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world’” (John 16:33 NIV).
Jesus told us we would have trouble in this life, so we shouldn’t be surprised when it comes. He never promised a pain-free life without problems. We still live in a sin-cursed world. Jesus died to redeem us, but creation won’t be fully restored until the day He returns. Scripture tells us, “We know the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time” (Romans 8:22 NIV).
We can have peace knowing Jesus has already redeemed all creation. Our hope is in Him. New Testament writer Paul goes on to say, “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently” (Romans 8:25 NIV). Yes, Jesus has already won the victory, but we wait patiently until the day His glory is fully revealed.
I cling to this truth as I’m confronted every day with more disturbing news. It sounds hopeless until I remember that Jesus said, “Take heart”!
7. 1 John 4:4
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4 NIV).
Satan, sometimes called the prince of this world, is a powerful enemy. He’s a master deceiver and he desires to steal, kill, and destroy. He hates God and all who follow Him. But he’s a defeated enemy.
A few years ago, I was feeling the burden of guilt. Thoughts bombarded me, telling me how sinful I was. Reproach hammered my heart. Joy and peace fled. Then I remembered how the enemy condemns while God lovingly corrects. The above verse came to me.
In the power and name of Jesus Christ, I spoke, “I belong to Jesus Christ, and greater is He that is in me than the one in the world. Leave me alone, devil. I belong to Jesus and He loves me.” Joy and peace filled my heart.
8. Psalm 23:1
“The LORD is my Shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1 NIV).
Psalm 23 is my favorite passage in the Bible and one I often meditate on. When I’m feeling empty or deprived, I remember this truth and He gives me peace.
With my heavenly Father as my Shepherd, I rest in the truth that He will take care of me. I have everything I need in Jesus.
9. Psalm 63:1
“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek You; I thirst for You, my whole being longs for You, in a dry and parched land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1 NIV).
As the emptiness, pain, and sorrow of this world assault my soul, this verse often comes to mind. God is the one I long for. He’s the only source of water for my soul. He has given me living water through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Whenever I begin to look for fulfillment and joy in what is temporal, I feel empty. When I turn to Jesus, He quenches my thirst. He’s the one I need.
10. 2 Peter 1:3
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3 BSB).
Living for God often feels impossible. Will I ever fully obey Him? I know how weak I am and how often I fail. I look at others and it seems like I’m incapable compared to them.
Then I remember the truth of the verse above. God has already given me everything I need to live a godly life. Whatever He calls me to do He will equip me for. My part is to believe, trust, and then move forward in obedience.
These are only ten of hundreds of powerful truths and promises in God’s Holy Word. Whatever the need of your heart, search the Bible, either by hand or online, to find what God says. Meditate on His truth and believe He will take care of you.
Father, thank You for such an incredible gift! To have Your words written down for us is a wealth we don’t fully comprehend. Help us take advantage of this treasure. May we hide its truth in our hearts and meditate on it day and night.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Tara Moore
Susan Aken writes devotions and articles for Wholly Loved Ministries, is an Oklahoma native who’s lived in Nebraska since 1987 and has been in public education for over thirty years. She and her husband have one son and a wonderful daughter-in-law. Besides writing she has a passion for special needs and prayer ministries. She enjoys time with family, reading, photography, movies, walking in nature, and a nice cup of tea. She believes life is a journey and we’re all in different places. Jesus is everything to her and it’s all about grace. Visit her at susanaken53.wordpress.com or on Facebook.
