Don’t you find that your “favorite passage of Scripture” changes and is often dependent on what is going on in your life?

I do.

As the foundations of my country are shifting quickly, I find myself more and more comforted by the Scripture passages that affirm the stability of God, the constant presence of God, the Scripture passages that declare that nothing happens without the knowledge and consent of God.

So, in turbulent time, here are a few of the Scripture passages we can turn to:

1.      “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” Isaiah 55: 8-9 (ESV). 

This passage gives us the assurance that God is in control. It informs us that the way that God thinks is quite different from how we think—and His thought are much higher (better) than ours. In this sense, we take comfort that God is in control of the “big things” as well as the little things, and so our best response is to trust in God and to pray.

2.      “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV)

It is hard in difficult times to not fear and to not be dismayed, but we are assured in this passage that God will be by our side at all times—He will not leave us. Not only that, He will go before us on the journey, making a way for us. This is where faith truly comes in, holding on to what God speaks into our spirit, not to what our eyes see.

3.      “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 125: 1-2 (ESV).

I love the image detailed in this passage, the fact that our trust in God makes us like a mountain that cannot move—but abides forever. The image then switches to God Himself, like the mountains that surround Jerusalem, surrounding His people forever.

We are protected. We are truly surrounded by the strength and love of God—no matter what.

4.      “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5-7 (ESV)

There are many parts of this passage that I find uplifting and instructive. First, the exhortation to  let the world see that we, in Christ, are reasonable, even in tough times. There is a temptation we each have during times of polarization to join this side or that side and not to object even when “our” side drifts too far. This is a cautionary note to us that when we anchor ourselves in Christ, we are on “His side” and in this way, we take a straight path. A reasonable path.

This passage also comforts us. God is at hand, always. We are free to bring our requests to Him. And, then once we take these requests to Him, we rest in His peace, a peace that unlike what the world offers, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ. Not hearts or minds—no, God guards and brings peace to our hearts AND minds. That is true peace!

5.      “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 (ESV).

In this passage, we hear the distinction between the peace that the world gives—and the peace that God gives. When we rest in His peace, our hearts are not troubled, and we are not afraid. This is because we realize, unlike those who belong to the world, that we are simply passing through this world, that our hearts truly reside in the world to come. And, because we get to spend eternity in that place of perfect peace, we are not troubled or afraid of what the concerns of this world. We seek to make a difference. We minister to those in need. We work with God to make disciples. But, in this, our purpose is to help heal this world—not to seek affirmation from it.

When God is our resting place, we truly have perfect peace.

In troubling times, what are your favorite passage of Scripture to turn to?

What brings your soul peace?