When I was serving with a church-planting team overseas, I had memorized a set of five Bible verses that I found especially encouraging. I would remind myself of these verses on the way to outreach ministry activities on a regular basis. They would remind me:
- how great God is,
- Jesus has all authority and has commissioned us
- Jesus has promised to be with us,
- the enemy of our souls is already condemned, and
Lately, I’ve been searching for a new set of verses for the current season of life. I was reminded of that search this morning during my quiet time. Some of these are strong contenders.
This morning, I was reading/listening to a devotional plan on the YouVersion Bible app titled, “Certainty Amid Uncertainty”. Pastor Gregg Matte, of Houston’s First Baptist, wrote the plan to help those who’ve been struggling lately.
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, you may be feeling that your whole world is falling apart. In spite of the uncertainty that surrounds us, we have ultimate certainty in God, the Rock of our salvation. We are going to see God do great things in and through us. Walk with hope, for our God is a refuge and an ever-present help in time of need.
Pastor Gregg Matte
Day 3 of this five-day Bible reading plan focuses on five Scripture passages:
- Psalms 46:1-4
- 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
- 2 Timothy 1:7
- Exodus 15:2
- Isaiah 41:10
The first passage clearly gets us to shift our focus off of our current situation or problems and onto God.
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
The next passage offers comfort in the midst of our weakness, challenges, and confusion.
2 Corinthians
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
The next passage reminds us that even though we may be weak, he is strong and through his Holy Spirit, we can be strong.
2 Timothy 1
7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Again our hearts are moved to praise as we are reminded that the Lord is our strength, defense, and our salvation.
Exodus 15:2
“The Lord is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
The final verse ties it all together.
Isaiah 41:10
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.
Pastor Gregg closes out the devotional with a declaration for us to proclaim aloud.
Declare: Jesus, You are my Strength. I know that I am not perfect and that sometimes I become impatient when my faith is tested, but I will not fear, and I will not allow my feelings to steal the joy that is found in You. I trust that You will give me all the strength I need to come out of uncertainty full of certainty.
You can find this reading plan at https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/20285. For more encouraging posts, visit https://trinity.encourageandequip.com/Sub-Test/home/start-here/
