10 Encouraging Bible Verses When You Need Hope

 

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 seems 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. “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. “For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’” (Romans 10:13 NIV).

When I was younger, I would too often wrestle with doubting my salvation. It was a painful struggle. I would be fine until I heard someone preach or teach that if you know Jesus, you will behave according to their rules or accomplish certain acts that always seemed beyond my reach. 

I struggled until God reminded me of the truth of this verse and many others like it. God promises that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ is rescued from eternal death. Why did Jesus have to die? Because He knew it was impossible for us in our strength to be 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 the promise of God that because I believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, I have eternal salvation.

3. “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. But we will not reach perfection until we enter heaven.

Therefore, it’s important to confess our sins to God because unconfessed sin hinders our relationship with Him and eventually hardens our hearts. He promises that when we humbly admit our wrongdoing, He cleanses us from all unrighteousness. What an encouraging promise! 

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. “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).

I’ve often cherished this promise when I look at professing Christians including myself and I don’t see evidence of growth. When 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 finish what He started.

5. “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 eternal life granted to us when we trust in Jesus Christ, then we should rename it temporary life. He says we’re His forever. 

Our enemy, Satan, will lie to us and make us doubt we will live in heaven forever. 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. “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: Jesus said, “Take heart”!

7. 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 his aim is to steal and 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. “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. “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. “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 so 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 to do. 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.

Originally published at iBelieve.com

Light Pierces Darkness

Jesus,
This world is so dark
Filled with lies
Many are being led to death.

Please, Lord,
Shine in the darkness.
May Your light
beam forth from every believer
and pierce the blackness around us.

May every lie be brought down in the name of Jesus.
Open every heart to Your truth.

None of this surprises You Lord.
You told us we would have trouble in this world.
But You have overcome it all.

Strengthen our faith
Help Your children stand firm.
Let there be thousands of lights
piercing the darkness.

Forgive me for when I hide my light.
Help me repent.
May I be a light Your love can speak through.

My hope is in You.

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8

He Restores Our Souls

Life gives unexpected turns. Rejection kicks us in the gut. Disappointment steals our joy. Sin nips at our heals.

But God restores our souls. He mends the holes and fills the gaps. He gives peace in spite of pain. His acceptance dulls the ache of rejection. Faith knows the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us of our sin. He renews our hope. Looking to our certain home in heaven lifts us from our disappointments. 

God restores our souls. 

He gives:

Hope to the brokenhearted, 

peace to the troubled, 

grace to the sinner,

love to the lonely, 

comfort to the sorrowing, 

correction to those who wander, 

and life to all who seek Him.

As long as we live in this world, we will have trouble, but Jesus gave us these promises:

“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).

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV).

Father
Restore my soul
Remind me of Your unfailing love
Be my strength

Help me yoke myself to Jesus and learn from Him
Healer of broken hearts
Draw me close to You

Photo by Teona Swift: https://www.pexels.com/photo/wistful-mature-woman-looking-out-window-6874398/

An Unshakable Future

You’re my Rock Jesus.
My foundation.
Unshakable.
Eternal.
I’m eternally secure in You.

Nothing can separate me from You.
No one can take me away.

All that’s around me can be lost, 
but You will always hold me in Your hand.
Everything in this world is temporal.
No matter how much I love my life,
all that is external will vanish like the morning mist.

But Your love,
Your grace,
Your presence,
All souls who have trusted You for salvation,
will never be lost.
Will never vanish.

We look forward to the day
when You will make all things new.
You will renew and restore
all that is real.
All that matters.
Then will come
eternal joy.

We can’t grasp that, Lord.
To never again know sorrow.
That is what our hearts long for.

Help us cling to that hope.
Help us be ready by believing in You.
Help us continually look forward to that day.

In the powerful name of our Lord Jesus Christ I pray.

Help When You’re Worried

With daily news about COVID, disasters, and violence, we become overwhelmed with fear.  When we’re afraid, self-preservation kicks in and anxiety rules. Feeling powerless, many of us experience sleepless nights. I’ve worried about my family, the pandemic, division, hatred, increasing violence, and the extreme weather events. I find fear robs me of peace. 

Worry comes naturally. Why resist? Jesus gives us the answer, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest” (Luke 12:25-26).

Jesus says we have nothing to worry about. When we grasp the truth of who God is and trust His plan, we find freedom from anxiety.

Here are 10 reasons why you have nothing to worry about:


1. God reigns supreme. 	

Our all-knowing God controls the universe. He spoke to the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, “I am God, and there is no other... there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning... I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please...What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do” (Isaiah 46:9-11).

God’s desires will prevail. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul wrote, “In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will” (Ephesians 1:11).

While we have freedom to choose, God will use all events to fulfill His aim to glorify His name.  God’s intentions for the universe can’t be hindered.


2. Nothing can separate us from God’s love. 

Believers in Jesus are secure forever. Writing to encourage early Roman believers, Paul wrote, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35, 38-39).

Jesus taught, “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28). We’re guaranteed His love for eternity.

3. Jesus won the victory on the cross.

Moments before Jesus Christ’s death, He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). By dying in our place and taking our punishment for sin, He fulfilled His purpose set before the creation of the world to redeem mankind. There’s no other price to be paid. We can rejoice knowing Jesus has won the victory over sin and death. 

4. God turns our weaknesses into strengths.

The Apostle Paul, a man with great faith who’d seen many prayers answered, suffered from an unknown aliment. He begged God three times to take it away. Instead, God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul then declared, “Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 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” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). If God can turn Paul’s weakness into strength, then He’ll do the same for you.

Joni Eareckson Tada is a great example of relying on God’s strength. When interviewed by the Christian Post, Joni said, “My weakness, that is, my quadriplegia, is my greatest asset because it forces me into the arms of Christ every single morning when I get up.”  If God allows persistent struggles, we can trust His grace will be sufficient. 

5. God gives us all we need for life and godliness. 

We can face anything knowing He provides what we need to get through it. Peter, one of Jesus’s closest friends, wrote, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life” (2 Peter 1:3a).

God gave us the Holy Spirit who empowers us, His inspired written word in Scripture for “teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (1 Timothy 3:16), and the privilege to “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:12).

6. Our suffering will be overshadowed by the glory to be revealed. 

To reassure early believers in Rome who faced continual persecution, Paul wrote, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). Paul endured torture and imprisonment for his faith. Yet, instead of being apprehensive, he focused on heaven. He continued to obey God, trusting the future to Him. 

God gave these encouraging words to the prophet, Isaiah, “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17). When we enter His glory for eternity, earthly sorrows will fade.

7. We have the most powerful resource available: prayer.  

Anxiety attacks our minds. Controlling our thoughts with prayer loosens worry’s grip.


Paul exhorted, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Turn your concerns into prayers knowing God answers with what is best. Leave the results in His hands, and He’ll provide peace.

8. We walk by faith not by sight.

In Hebrews we learn about the faithful lives of early believers. “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth... they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one” (Hebrews 11:13, 16).

Christians throughout history have remained faithful in the midst of wars, persecutions, poverty, and tragedy. They looked forward to their true home in heaven. 

We can’t walk in faith and worry simultaneously. Worry wants to see.  Faith trusts in the unseen. 

9. We’re never alone.

Pain, trouble, and sorrow are part of life in this fallen world.  But in the beloved 23rd Psalm, King David wrote, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4). In His last instructions, Jesus gave this encouragement, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). 

Jesus’s disciples learned about trusting Him while on a lake during a furious storm. Fearing for their lives while Jesus slept, “The disciples went and woke Him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm” (Matthew 8:25-26). When unexpected storms rage, He’s right beside us.

10. Jesus destroyed our enemies. 

Great stories often end with an epic battle between good and evil. Evil seems to be winning--until good prevails. These all reflect the true battle except in reality there’s no contest. Teaching how Jesus defeated Satan, our enemy, Paul wrote, “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:15). 

Some worry about the rise of the Anti-Christ yet Paul recorded, “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the splendor of His coming” (2 Thessalonians 2:8).

Final thoughts

These 10 truths can help you deal with anxiety. You’ll still be concerned about the problems you’re facing, but by steadily applying these simple truths you can begin today to worry less and trust God more.

I’ve too often lived in fear wasting time worrying about potential trouble. In 68 years, most of my worries never happened. Corrie Ten Boom who lived a life of peace until her fifties when she suffered atrocities in a Nazi concentration camp, wrote in her book Clippings from my Notebook, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strength.” 

Instead of plotting how to avoid pain, try serving Him in freedom taking whatever comes with grace and peace. You’re His beloved child. He knows what you need and will take care of you.  “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” (Isaiah 41:10).

Don’t Worry-Trust Instead

Do not fret because of the evil people are doing.

What do I do instead of fretting and worrying about those who seem to be succeeding at doing evil?

Trust in the LORD.
Do good. 
Enjoy the blessings you have.
Delight in the LORD.
Commit your way to the LORD—trust Him.
Be still before Him and wait patiently for Him to act.

Refrain from anger.
Turn from wrath.
Do not fret.

Delight in Him.
Be generous and lend freely.
Turn from evil and do good.

Hope in the LORD.
Keep His way.
Seek peace.
Take refuge in the LORD.

Psalm 37

HOPE

I lack nothing
I have all I need
I'm restored
I'm not afraid
I'm comforted
I'm anointed
I overflow with blessings
I will always have His goodness and mercy
I have eternal life
Psalm 23

When Anxiety Overwhelms

Lord, the world seems to be falling apart. Covid spreading with fear spreading faster. Life as we knew it has changed perhaps forever? People afraid to meet in groups or get to close to each other. Kindergartners have to be told to move away from each other. Middle schoolers to stop socializing so much.

Governments in chaos. There is anger and hatred all around. There are so many lies and deceits we aren’t sure who to believe. There are false prophets, those who are sincere but  misled, and those whose intent is to deceive.

A spirit of anxiety covers our world. There is uncertainty.

In the midst of all this, people struggle with sickness of loved ones, afflictions, death, disappointment, addictions, violence, hurt, and betrayal.

Where can we go? Where is the help?

Only in You Lord! You are greater than all our fears. You are more powerful than any human leader. You’re the One who allows leaders to rise and fall. You could say the word and disease would disappear.

But You remind us this world is not our home. Peace here is not the ultimate goal. Being prepared for eternity is the goal. Being ready so when this short life is over we will be with You forever.

Jesus made that possible by dying for us and conquering death. Please, Father, use all that’s happening in the world to turn our eyes to You. Use all this pain to turn hearts to Jesus.

To know this is all temporary and  an eternity beyond our wildest imagination waits for us.

Open our eyes Lord.

Please give us the strength to endure our trials. The grace to forgive our enemies. The power to love as You have loved us. The hope that looks beyond what is seen. The wisdom to discern truth. Help us trust You no matter what happens tomorrow knowing “a better country—a heavenly one” waits for us. Please bring many—bring us all to faith in You.

The Good in 2020

A new year! Wow! They come so fast. In spite of the challenges, 2020 seemed to go especially fast. Many can’t wait to see it end and want to erase it or crush it. But there were good things that happened. Positive changes in my own life. 

I was made of aware of how many things I take for granted and how blessed I am: being free to go where I want, eat at restaurants, go to movies and concerts, go to church, have family gatherings, see people’s faces and interact, and so many other daily activities I took for granted. I’m now so thankful for all these! I see that they are gifts and not guaranteed or deserved. I hope I never take all these freedoms for granted again.

Because of early shut down of schools last spring and the forced isolation I began a new journey writing articles for iBelieve and in 2020 I wrote 11! I’m not sure I would have begun if I had been working full-time when it was suggested. All that time alone got me started.

I’m a substitute teacher and I have to keep my teaching license current. It was set to expire in 2021. So during the shut-down, I also took 6 hours of college classes online and renewed my certificate! Again, I had plenty of time to work on it.

I’m thankful for time to reflect, pray, and study. Time to learn and grow. (Full disclosure: I also watched plenty of tv and read multiple novels). 

2020 challenged me to grow in faith and trust God in spite of circumstances. I was reminded of what’s most important: God and people—relationships. 

2020 expanded and improved new ways of connecting: zoom meetings and similar technology, online learning, online church, live-streaming concerts. It brought us together as a world while we shared in experiencing the same crises. 

Yes, many suffered in ways I didn’t: loss of business income with some even losing their business, sickness, loss of life, deep pain and sorrow, but hopefully faith was strengthened and new doors opened. 

Above all, as a believer in Jesus Christ, I hope we were reminded that this world is not our home.  Jesus never said this life would be easy. In fact, He said in this world we will have trouble. But, He did promise He is preparing a place for us that is beyond anything we can imagine! This year also continually reminded me that God is sovereign  and in control. He’s the one I look to for help. Not any politician or human leader. My life is in His hands and I trust Him to get me through until He calls me home. I’m also reminded that all those I love are in His hands. I don’t control anything and I can’t guarantee anything. I look to Him and trust Him to lead us through the valley of the shadow of death.

Whatever happens in 2021, God will still be God and Jesus has already overcome the world. He is still the way, the truth and the life. I know He will give me what I need to face whatever comes.

Where is the Hope for 2021?

The world has faced some hard things in 2020. War, famine, plague, discord, and trouble of all kinds. Many if not most people in the world are struggling to survive each day. And these troubles won’t disappear on January 1st. Where is the light in this darkness? How do we find hope? The hope came at Christmas when Jesus Christ was born. Because He lived and died for us rising again to defeat death forever, we can say with Paul, one of His early followers:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?… No, in all these things we are more than conquerers through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39 (emphasis mine)

Nor anything else: Neither COVID nor plague, neither racial unrest or prejudice, neither politics or government, neither hatred nor evil: NOTHING can separate us from His love.

Praise to His holy name!!