My Favorite Passages of Scripture

As a Christian, it's important to know what the Bible says, especially during times that are difficult and confusing. A wise person I know told me that I need to have a 'scripture arsenal', for those moments that the entire world, your circumstance, and even your own mind are trying to steal your peace. I've compiled some of my favorites here. They might match your favorite scriptures, or you may have never heard of them before. Feel free to add them to your list, so you can reflect and meditate on them!

Source: The Bible - History.com

The Lord's Prayer, Matthew 6:9-13

"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. --Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV)

A lot of people already know this one. If you've been to church ever, you've heard this passage at least once. The reason I like it so much though, is that it's literally a blueprint for prayer! Back when I was learning how to pray, I followed this little prayer for guidance, adding in my needs and things I needed to pray for. Even now, when I don't know what I need, I go back to the Lord's Prayer.

God's Name, Exodus 34:5-7

Then the LORD came down in a cloud and stood there with him [Moses]; and he called out his own name, Yahweh. The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, "Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected--even children in the third and fourth generations." -- Exodus 34:5-7 (NLT)

This is the first moment in scripture that God reveals his name. Back in the Bible, names were chosen based on the character that the parents wanted the child to have. For example, Mary was told to name her son Jesus, because he would save the world from their sins. In the case in Exodus, God was revealing his character to Moses. And, boy, does it seem like a paradox! After all, God says he shows compassion and mercy, but also lays the sins of the parents upon this children. It's very deeply theological, more than I can express in this post. However, I like the Bible Project's explanation of this passage, so I'll leave a video below.

Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead, John 11:35

Jesus Wept - Wikipedia

Jesus wept. --John 11:35 (ESV)

Fun fact: this is the shortest verse in the Bible, with a whopping two words!

In the rest of the story, we get scenes of Jesus mourning for his friend Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, even though everyone asks him, "Why didn't you stop Lazarus from dying?" I wondered that myself, and felt a bit blasphemous for it. However, Jesus doesn't rebuke anyone in this chapter, neither does he answer their question. At least, not in a clear way. "I Am the resurrection and the life," Jesus says, hinting toward some greater miracle to come, his greatest sign yet. Something even more amazing than raising someone else from the dead.

This article from GotQuestions.com says that Jesus didn't weep over the death itself, but rather the misery of humankind, who was subject to death, a state that we were never supposed to be in (even though it feels like death is all around us).

Whatever the answer, this verse helps me to remember that Jesus weeps with me.

The Lord Will Help You, Psalm 37:4-5

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. -- Psalm 37:4-5 (NLT)

This one helps me when I feel like life is aimless. It reminds me that the most important thing is to just delight and trust in the Lord, and he will help me. I've often found that slowing down and being with him in those most confusing moments have helped me to clear my mind. He turns bad days into good days, helps me withstand the constant shifting tides of bad news.

And, when I sit quietly enough, he helps me see the way forward.