There are no two ways around it: life is hard. However, the biblical meaning of restore and renew involves God’s way of bringing about a restored soul, restoration of peace, physical restoration, and even financial restitution.
Hope abounds in Christ! Both the Old Testament and the New Testament are filled with the process of restoration of God’s people in various ways. Let’s dive in.
What Does Restore Mean Biblically?
God’s restoration of us is a beautiful gift. God’s Word is full of Hebrew and Greek words referencing His restoration process.
The dictionary definition of restoration is the action of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition. The biblical meaning of the word “restore” is mostly literal.
Tangible Restoration
Land, property, health, life, and other tangibles are the subject of restoration:
1 Kings 20:34 – “I will return the cities my father took from your father,” Ben-Hadad offered. “You may set up your own market areas in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria.”
Job 20:10 – “His children must make amends to the poor; his own hands must give back his wealth.”
Ezekiel 18:7 – “He does not oppress anyone, but returns what he took in pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked.”
Mark 3:5 – “Jesus looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.”
We see such restoration throughout the Book of Job. The story of Job is sobering to read because he literally loses everything except his life and faith. Job’s friends only see the turn of Job’s fortunes due to sin. But that wasn’t the case.
God’s desire was to prove to Satan that a believer’s faith can be stronger than any misery they endure – even the severest afflictions. God restored to Job a double portion of the blessings he had before, including Job’s former condition of health and wealth.
Figurative Restoration
When we look at the figurative usage of restoration, there are several verses to consider covering two overarching areas.
1. Spiritual Restoration
First and foremost (since it impacts eternal life) is spiritual restoration. This aspect holds a different value than physical restoration because only our spirit is eternal. It is a return to our proper condition before the loss of Eden — a spiritual reset, if you will.
In Psalm 51:12, David writes: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” After falling headlong into sin with Bathsheba, David turns to our God of restoration.
In Psalm 23:3, the psalmist calls on the name of the Lord for strength during trials: “He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”
In Galatians 6:1, mature believers are also encouraged to identify their spiritual gifts and strengths in order to restore the spiritual health of a wayward believer: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
2. Eschatological Restoration
The Word of God also references an eschatological restoration, which points to the Last Judgment, the reign of Christ, and times of restoration of all things:
Matthew 19:28 – “Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel‘.”
Acts 3:20-21 – “That times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets long ago.”
Eschatological restoration is a category that garners significant theological discussion and fear fodder for prosperity preachers. But Scripture is clear that the restoration of man comes from God alone through Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
What Does Renew Mean Biblically?
God sent Jesus into the world not only to restore us but to renew us. Biblically, renewal means that we are remade into something new and better in Christ.
Renewal references God’s process of sanctification. Sanctification encompasses the work of the Holy Spirit, who leads us into eternal life. It includes the gift of faith, justification, our inner transformation, perseverance in faith, and complete renewal on Judgment Day.
In the process of renewal, God removes us from our former place of spiritual darkness and ushers us into His glorious light.
2 Corinthians 4:16 – “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”
Isaiah 40:31 – “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
In some places the Bible conveys renewal in a primary sense of literal rather than spiritual. For instance, the kingdom renewal at Gilgal: “Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingship” (1 Samuel 11:14).
What is Spiritual Renewal?
In addition to the points and passages above, spiritual renewal means relying on Christ through faith for inner strength and resolve in our pursuit of God.
Spiritual renewal is not merely a theological concept. In Christ, we are given a clear sense of sin and its damage that is replaced by a fresh sense of God, His grace, and God’s plan for our lives.
Lamentations 5:21 – “Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return.”
Ephesians 4:22-23 – “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds.”
Colossians 3:9-10 – “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practicesand have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
Spiritual renewal is also viewed from the perspective of repentance: “…and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt” (Hebrews 6:6). Repentance is key to spiritual renewal.
Spiritual renewal includes renewed vigor and realigning our thoughts with God’s truth as the bedrock of our lives. God’s promise to renew us through Christ leads us to the green pastures of His forgiveness, grace, and mercy. Our cup overflows with His restoring, renewing love!
Graduation Day is within sight. Congratulations graduates! It is a culmination of years of work, dedication, and great hope. It’s time to celebrate the hard work of graduating seniors with graduation prayers and congratulations messages.
You may be celebrating a high school graduate, grade school completion, or obtaining a graduate school degree. Usually, greeting cards and heartfelt messages are part of the celebration.
Whether the graduate is you, your child, or a friend, here are some prayers that you can offer for each person’s special day.
1. Graduation Prayers for Yourself
Dear Gracious God, You have brought me such a long way! My heart today is overflowing with gratitude for the good work You have done in my life. You have enabled me to make the right choices despite the lack of sleep and given me the encouragement of Jesus. I dedicate this day to You! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Dear God, thank you for faithfully walking with me every step of my educational journey. Today marks a new beginning in a wider world and career path. I pray that You open new opportunities along my path that continue to honor You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Dearest Lord, You gave me a precious, perfect gift in this beautiful child. You have given us the gift of family, faith, and love. It has been a long journey to reach graduation and I give You all the glory. Thank you for keeping my child safe and directing his path so beautifully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Beautiful Savior, what a joyous day! Today is one of the proudest moments in my parenting life so far. My child has accomplished so much because You never left her side. Today, we celebrate the goodness of life and bright future that You have laid out for her. In the name of your Son Jesus, Amen.
Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of this beautiful friendship! Today, I celebrate the great things You have accomplished in her life. As she receives her diploma, remind her that Your Holy Spirit continues to guide her path. It is a joy to celebrate her well-deserved success and Your faithfulness throughout. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Heavenly Father, the spirit of Your love is so strong in my amazing friend. You have given her lots of passion to push through those times of late night studies to accomplish her dreams. I pray that You provide huge success in her new adventures that fulfill her dreams and bring You glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Extending your warmest congratulations in graduation card messages can become a treasured keepsake to the one who receives it. The right words make all the difference.
Graduation congratulations cards commemorate the monumental occasion of achieving years of hard work and dedication. And God was the biggest part! Here are some messages you can share.
1. Congratulations Messages for Your Child
Today is the beginning of the bright future God has prepared specifically for you. Your hard work and true dedication to Him have made the most positive difference in your life. Keep Jesus close as you strike out on the new journeys ahead! I love you very much. Congratulations Graduate!
I am so proud of you! Today we get to make a big deal over you and your wonderful accomplishments. God has faithfully directed your path and you have remained faithful to Him. Regardless of your next step in life, remember that God walks with you every step of the way. I love you very much!
God has made you an extraordinary person! You have worked so hard to graduate and I am so proud of you. You remained faithful to God and He has blessed you with success. God has given you so many gifts to share with the world. Remember to keep asking His guidance and He will never lead you astray. Congratulations!
You did it! Despite a loaded schedule and lots of commitments, you relied on the Lord to see you through. You are a dear friend and an important part of our community. I pray God’s blessings over you as you step out with your diploma in hand. Congratulations!
I am so proud of you! You have wholeheartedly followed God’s direction and accomplished so much. I know that you will be a huge blessing as you step out into this great big world with God’s love and gentleness evident to all. God’s blessings and best wishes as you step out into the world with your diploma!
Congratulations! It has been a joy to keep you in prayer as you worked full-time and also attended school. I realize that must have been a heavy load to carry. God has given you success because you remained faithful to His calling over your life. God bless you as you step out with a diploma in hand!
Dear Pastor, congratulations! You followed God’s leading to work towards your doctorate in ministry and He has blessed you with success. You have been such a blessing in my life and the life of our church. I pray that God continues to enlighten your continuum of life-long learning. God bless you!
Dear Pastor, you did it! You have worked so hard to obtain your doctorate in ministry. And along the way, you kept serving our church wholeheartedly. I realize that your load was burdensome at times. Your tenacity and grace under pressure have been an inspiration to me and many others in our church. Congratulations and to God be the glory!
I hope that these prayers and messages will give you a good start to congratulating the graduate in your life!
I did not know Jesus until I was twenty-three years old. I fully understand the learning and relationship curves of a new life in Christ! Inspiring Bible verses served as cornerstones.
If this is your first time learning about God and studying the Bible, I am cheering you on! Your faith is a free gift of God. You are a new creation because of the love of God.
God will faithfully lead you on the right path. The key? Go slow and be consistent. Here are some inspiring Bible verses and the best Bible verses to memorize for your new beginning.
Studying the Bible can be intimidating. I understand! There are sixty-six books in the Bible. The Old Testament contains 39, and the New Testament contains 27 books. And the vast majority of those books contain several chapters.
God’s Word is a large book providing the roadmap for your Christian faith. Take your time. Understanding the content is the goal, not how fast you get through it.
Pick one book in the Word of God and get started. I suggest starting with the Gospel of John because it is a comprehensive story of Jesus’ life. God’s love is on full display in this beautiful book.
It may still seem overwhelming, but the good news is that the power of the Holy Spirit inside of you will guide the way. Your heavenly Father provides wisdom and understanding as you need it.
One of the ways to learn more about God is by reading the Bible. As Christians, we read the Bible to know God, God’s will, and God’s promises (among other things).
Start by picking one of these Bible verses and read it a few times. Then pause to think about what that verse means. What is God communicating to you in that verse?
John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Romans 10:9 – “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Ephesians 2:8-10 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
God desires to communicate with you through His Word and prayer. A relationship with God means that you know Him and how He feels about you.
The following verses are important to reflect on as a new believer. They will help you understand more about God and the kingdom of God to which you now belong.
Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
The more Bible verses you read, the more God reminds you of the hope that all Christians have in Christ. You will face difficult times, but our God of hope walks right beside you.
Some verses are more difficult than others. Many Bibles have notes at the bottom of each page to help your own understanding of Scripture. I have found the Thompson Chain Reference Bible and the Lutheran Study Bible most helpful.
John 16:33 – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Philippians 4:6-7 – “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.”
Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Philippians 2:3-4– “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
If you are just starting your prayer journey with God, again I am cheering you on! God, Creator of the universe, hears every single word.
One of the most effective ways to pray is simply to use Scripture. Simply say the words back to God from you like you’re talking with Him face-to-face. Your journey of faith will be blessed.
Psalm 94:18-19 – “When I thought, ‘My foot slips,’ Your steadfast love, O LORD, helped me up. When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 – “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.”
Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
Through faith, you have become a new person (creation). The Word of Christ dwells in you through the power of the Holy Spirit and enables you to live differently.
You will be a better person as your life begins producing the good fruit of good deeds. By the grace of God, you see others as children of God and treat them with greater love.
Your spiritual journey will carve rich, new paths in your life to share the Gospel message with others. That may sound intimidating! It simply means you are open to sharing with others the fresh start and new life God has given you.
In the beginning, you will stumble and fall back into old ways every now and then. I certainly did. But God who is in you is greater than your struggle. He is faithful! God promises:
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
Bible Topics for New Believers
Life with God is a relationship. Christ Jesus knit you together in your mother’s womb and knows you better than you know yourself.
This collection of Bible verses is organized by topic. They are important Bible verses to understand God’s plan, God’s strength, and God’s handiwork for everyday life.
1. Bible Passages on Peace
The hurt and chaos of our world reveal times of trouble. However, followers of Jesus can look to these inspiring Bible verses as a good reminder that Jesus is our Prince of Peace.
Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
Life’s challenges can certainly cause fear. However, the more you devour the solid food of God’s Word, the more you can understand that the power of God can conquer each and every fear.
Here are some inspiring Bible verses to keep your eyes on Jesus rather than your fears.
Psalm 34:4-5, 8 – “I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”
Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Isaiah 41:13 – “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Some of the best advice I ever heard went something like this: “Make a list of everything you are worried about. Cross off the ones that you can’t control. Focus on the ones you can.”
More than 85% of what we worry about will never come to pass. So instead of wasting time worrying, increase your spiritual growth by focusing on God. He can handle and take care of ALL of your worries.
Matthew 6:31-34 – “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or “What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Romans 12:12 – “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
4. The Steadfast Love of Christ
God loved you so much that He sent His one and only Son to die for your sin. There is no greater love! On those days when you have a hard time feeling loved, keep these inspiring Bible verses close.
Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
1 John 4:10-11 – “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
Romans 5:7-8 – “For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Isaiah 54:10 – “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
People are sinful and we fail. Period. Even those we hold most dear can falter and disappoint us. But when you put your trust in God, He will never fail you. He will never disappoint you. He will always keep His promises.
1 John 5:18 – “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.”
Hebrews 11:1- “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Romans 8:24-25 – “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
1 Chronicles 16:11 – “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”
Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
These inspiring Bible verses are just the tip of the iceberg! As you read through Scripture, God will bless you and draw you to verses that you can cling to in every stage of your journey.
Bottom Line
Now that you’ve started your Christian faith, life isn’t going to be perfect. Life still happens! Your debt won’t magically disappear, your relationships and job stresses won’t necessarily change overnight.
But hold on to God’s promise that He will work for your good. He loves you and wants the very best for you. We may not understand it in our limited view of life and short-sighted perspective of this world, but we can trust that God will work on our behalf as we live out our purpose.
I have tons of free resources on my website that you can download and tuck into your Bible. God bless your journey!
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In this broken world, you and I understand weeping. So it is powerful to know that Jesus wept. His compassion and sorrow to weep demonstrate just how much He loves each one of us.
So how many times did Jesus weep in the Bible? Only twice. And each occasion where He wept is eye-opening and instructive. Let’s look at Jesus’ tears more closely.
During my research, I ran across various sources that counted Jesus weeping three times or more. Some attributed the “loud cries” of Christ Jesus as actual tears. The original language does not support that interpretation.
Other references, like the book of Hebrews, count Jesus as weeping when it only refers to the actual times Jesus wept (Hebrews 5:7).
There is a common misconception that Jesus wept in the Garden of Gethsemane. However, on the pages of Scripture Jesus wept only twice. One time for the present suffering of friends, and the other time for the future suffering of His people.
1. Jesus Weeps at the Death of Lazarus
One of the most well-known instances of Jesus weeping is over the death of his friend Lazarus.
“Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill‘” (John 11:1-3).
Now Jesus loved Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha (John 11:5). He visited them often and enjoyed their friendship.
Jesus Arrives in Bethany
Lazarus had been dead for four days by the time Jesus arrived at their house in Bethany. The book of John tells us what happened next.
Mary remained in the house, but Martha ran to meet Jesus. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you” (John 11:21-22). Ouch.
Despite her grief and harsh accusation, Martha still believes that Jesus can perform a miracle. Martha’s grief was not a lack of faith. Like us, Martha understood that Jesus could take hurt-filled questions without writing us off. She clung to the faith that He had given her and believed in a miracle. What a testimony!
“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in His spirit and greatly troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” (John 11:33-36)
The Purpose of Jesus’ Delay
Jesus intentionally delayed going to Bethany and the tomb of His friend Lazarus despite Mary and Martha’s message. Why? “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4).
Jesus knew that his close friend Lazarus’ earthly death was not eternal. And He wanted everyone there to understand that truth, as well.
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world‘” (John 11:25-27).
Again, what faith! Now the stage was set and the audience was present for Jesus to perform a miracle regarding Lazarus’ death.
Lazarus Raised From the Dead
Only Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. And the entire village had the privilege of seeing firsthand that truth come to life as they went to Lazarus’ tomb:
“Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.’When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out.’ The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go‘” (John 11:38, 41-44).
What a scene to behold! Jesus spoke three power-packed simple words, “Lazarus, come out.” And many of the Jews present at the tomb of Lazarus believed in Jesus.
Despite our worst moments of pain and suffering, Jesus is our hope and refuge. The Name of the Lord is a strong tower (Proverbs 18:10) and we can run to Him.
When we believe by faith that Jesus suffered, died, rose from the grave, and sits on heaven’s throne, our earthy death is a precursor to spending eternity with Him.
2. Jesus Wept Over Jerusalem
The second occasion in the holy Bible where we see tears of sorrow from Jesus is on the day of His triumphal entry.
“And when He drew near and saw the city, He wept over it, saying, ‘Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes'” (Luke 19:41-42).
It would be easy to see that Palm Sunday parade as Jesus’ victory dance into Jerusalem. In reality, it was the beginning of His last days on earth.
As what we call “Holy Week” began, the people spread their cloaks in front of Jesus’ donkey and cheered as He rode into Jerusalem. But Jesus’s tears reveal that He knew what was coming for the people of Jerusalem:
“For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation” (Luke 19:43-44).
The Lutheran Study Bible sums up that moment beautifully: “Jesus weeps over Jerusalem’s present blindness and future fate. His heart still breaks for those who have not yet received His Word” (p.1757).
Did Jesus Weep in the Garden of Gethsemane?
The New Testament reveals that on the night that Jesus was betrayed, Jesus first spent time with His disciples in the Upper Room.
As they finished with Jesus instituting the Lord’s Supper, they walked outside the city of Jerusalem toward the Mount of Olives.
The Garden of Gethsemane was a walled garden full of olive trees used for extracting oil. Just east of Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples often met in the Garden. A portion of that Garden remains today which is a truly special stop on my regular trips to the Holy Land.
A. Jesus in the Garden
Jesus spent time in deep, sorrowful prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Here we see this Man of Sorrows in emotional turmoil as He understands the task ahead of Him.
“Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here, while I go over there and pray.’ And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me‘” (Matthew 26:36-38, ESV).
Jesus was sorrowful, yet Scripture does not say that He wept. The Gospel of Luke reveals what happened:
“And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony He prayed more earnestly; and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:43-44, ESV).
Jesus’ sorrow produced sweat like great blood drops, not tears. The heart of Jesus was broken on our behalf that night because of His deep love for us.
Saying a simple “thank you” for Jesus’ sacrifice does not even begin to express our gratitude for such a life-changing gift.
B. What Jesus Accomplished in the Garden
The Son of God understood that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). So He took our sin to the cross to offer us the certain hope of eternity with Him (John 3:16).
Upon Jesus that night was laid the entire weight of the world’s sin–past, present, and future. I do not believe we can fully imagine the gargantuan weight of our sin load. Instead of weeping, Jesus prayed.
“And going a little farther He fell on His face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will'” (Matthew 26:39, ESV).
In the Garden, our Lord Jesus Christ surrendered His will to God so that we might have everlasting life. Talk about Good News of great joy!
Our sinful human nature relegated us to hell, but Jesus could not bear the thought. So He offered His perfect life in genuine love to every human being who believes by faith that He died and rose victoriously for their salvation.
Does Jesus Weep With Us?
Jesus is known as the Suffering Servant. Isaiah 53:3 tells us: “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” Jesus knew suffering throughout His earthly life. He was maligned by religious leaders and suffered unimaginable physical pain.
“Jesus wept” is the shortest verse of the Bible (John 11:35, ESV). It is also one of the most profound statements of Christ’s humanity.
Sometimes the comfort we need amid heartbreaking trouble is to reflect upon a weeping Savior who still weeps for us. But if Christ continues to weep, He continues to suffer. And if He continues to suffer, He cannot say about his atoning work “It is finished” (John 19:30).
However, Scripture confirms that our Lord God grieves: “How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the desert!” (Psalm 78:40, also Ephesians 4:30)
Jesus wept on earth. Literal weeping is never attributed to Christ in heaven. But it is certainly accurate and comforting to understand that God’s heart is moved, grieved, and broken by our sin (Genesis 6:6).
Why Should We Weep Over Our Sin?
Let’s start with the simple truth. We are all sinners who fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). And the truth about sinners is that we sin.
Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2), and it has since sin entered into the world and removed Adam and Eve from paradise (Genesis 3).
The very last thing we want is to be separated from the One who provides eternal life. So we weep over our sin. We confess to our Holy God and receive divine forgiveness.
God sent Jesus to justify and redeem us as a free gift of grace (Romans 3:24-25). Jesus gave His life so that we might have the righteousness of God. When we fall into willful sin (or any other sin), those actions and thoughts spit on Jesus’ sacrifice.
Our loving Father sacrificed His only Son for us. The very least we can do is to rely on His strength to live good, godly lives that point people to Jesus.
Some days I feel like the worst Scripture memorizer ever. I always take notes when someone tells me the best Bible verses to memorize that have helped them. Then I promptly forget. Can you relate?
As a new Christian over three decades ago, I often failed at Scripture memory because I started with too many verses and was impatient with the process. One great verse or short Bible verse is just as powerful as a long one. Bible memory diligence is hard work.
Over the years I have learned that hiding God’s Word in my heart isn’t a race. I win no prize for the amount of Bible passages I memorize.
The most important thing was to identify my areas of weakness and memorize specific verses to help in difficult times. Find your own way that works and stick to it.
Why is it Important to Memorize Scripture?
As Christ’s followers, the best way to live is by allowing the Word of God to dwell richly in our souls to have victory over sin and the devil. Coming to your own understanding of God’s complete love and care for you is an immeasurable blessing.
“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).
Jesus Himself tells us how important it is to memorize Scripture: “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God‘” (Matthew 22:29).
The Apostle Paul also encourages: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).
Here are several memory verses organized by topic that you can learn at your own pace. Scripture memorization is one the most important things you can do in the whole world. There is a free download at the end to print and tuck into your Bible.
Bible Verses About God
Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
John 1:1 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Psalm 147:5 – “Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure.”
Bible Verses About Obeying God
Joshua 1:8- “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
Matthew 22:37– “And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”
Bible Verses For Strength
Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Isaiah 40:31- “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Bible Verses About Peace
Psalm 4:8 – “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Isaiah 26:3 – “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
John 14:27 – “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 16:33 – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Bible Verses About How to Live
Leviticus 19:11 – “You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.”
Matthew 4:19 – “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 5:16 – “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Bible Verses About Forgiveness
Matthew 6:15 – “But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Colossians 3:13 – “Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
Psalm 103:2-3 – “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases.”
I wrote an entire Bible study on Forgiveness that you can find here.
Bible Verses About God’s Word
Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17– “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Bible Verses About Faith
Romans 10:17 – “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Mark 11:22-23 – “And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.”
Romans 5:1 – “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:18 – “As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
Bible Verses About Life in Christ
Philippians 1:6 – “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Bible Verses About Hope
Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Psalm 33:18 – “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in His steadfast love.”
Psalm 119:114 – “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.”
Bible Verses for the Weary
Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Psalm 23:1-3 – “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.”
Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Bible Verses About Sin
Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
1 John 5:18 – “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.”
Bible Verses About Unity
Psalm 133:1-2 – Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!”
Ephesians 4:1-3 – “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Bible Verses About Our Purpose
Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Bible Verses About Sharing the Gospel
Romans 10:14-15 – “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? How are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
1 Peter 3:15-16 – “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”
Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Bible Verses About Salvation
Romans 10:9-10 – “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
John 1:12 – “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
John 5:24 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
John 11:25 – “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.”
John 14:6 – “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Acts 4:12 – “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Bible Verses About God’s Love
Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 – “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
1 Corinthians 2:9 – “But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.'”
1 John 3:16 – “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”
Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Bible Verses About Loving Others
John 13:35 – “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
Matthew 22:37-39 – “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Bible Verses About God’s Faithfulness
Psalm 145:18-19 – The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 – “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 100:5 – “For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.”
Bible Verses About the Holy Spirit
Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
1 Corinthians 6:19 – “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Bible Verses About Temptation
1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
Matthew 26:41 – “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Bible Verses About Confession
James 5:16 – “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Proverbs 28:13 – “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”
Bible Verses About Tests of Faith
James 1:2-3 – “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
1 Peter 1:6-7 – “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Bible Verses About Contentment
Hebrews 13:5 – “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'”
Philippians 4:11 – “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”
2 Corinthians 12:10 – “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Bible Verses About Trusting the Lord
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Isaiah 55:8 – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Bible Verses for Overcoming Fear
Proverbs 3:25-26 – Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.”
Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Psalm 56:3 – “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.”
Bible Verses for Praising God
Psalm 96:2 – “Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.”
Psalm 100:1– “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing!”
Psalm 100:4 –“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name!”
Bible Verses About Grace
Ephesians 2:8-10 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 – “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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Bible Verses About Jesus’ Sacrifice
Isaiah 53:4-5 – Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”
2 Corinthians 5:21- “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Hebrews 4:15-16 – “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
1 Peter 2:24 – “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”
Bible Verses for Right Living
Micah 6:8 – “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Matthew 7:24-25 – “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Bible Verses for Anxiety
1 Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.”
Matthew 6:31-33 – “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Philippians 4:6-7 – “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.”
I pray that God takes you on an amazing journey of enriching your mind and heart as you fill it with His Word.
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What is the significance of Lent? I had no clue for the first two decades of my life. All I had heard was that some people would “give something up” (like chocolate) but I didn’t know why.
Lent is a 40-day spiritual preparation to celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection on Easter.
Lent serves as a time to meditate on the suffering that Christ endured on our behalf. It also provides an opportunity to reflect upon our own Baptism and what it means to live as a child of God.
The Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Maundy Thursday (also called Holy Thursday, one day before Good Friday).
Lent in the Church
As in the early Church up to today, there are observances in the United States and around the world when we remember Jesus’ birth, baptism, death, resurrection, and ascension. Why? Because we would not have the hope of eternal life without Jesus.
Each of those Church observances includes a time set aside to prepare for the major events of Jesus’ life, ministry, and the kingdom of God.
Church worship gatherings reflect a more penitential tone during Lent. On the liturgical calendar, purple is the traditional color during Lent since it is often associated with penitence. Some churches offer mid-week penance services or an evening prayer time.
The word “alleluia” is usually omitted from the Church’s liturgy. Alleluia is a joy-filled phrase meaning “Praise the Lord.” Easter ushers in the alleluias which sets Lent distinctly apart from the rest of the year.
The Church’s décor usually reflects a more somber tone, as well, which creates a powerful contrast with the jubilant celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.
Lent Daily Practices
Lent includes a more reflective and penitential time. It offers time for a good examination of conscience with open hearts to see whether our lives truly reflect Jesus’ love that honors His sacrifice.
Personally, each day during Lent includes a time of silence, a good and honest confession time, and saying the Lord’s prayer.
I spend time re-reading the four Gospels to keep Jesus’ teachings fresh about how He interacted with people. He spent much time with His Father in prayer. I also offer prayers of praise that our true home in heaven has been secured by Jesus.
Throughout the day I pause for times of silent prayer to reflect on the mercy of God, Jesus’ perfect ways, and how I can show His love to others.
Interestingly, I find myself listening more closely to those around me and what is going on in their lives. Even though Lent represents a short time in the year it is spiritually very powerful.
Lent Begins on Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday sets the spiritual stage to walk through the next forty days of Lent.
There is no requirement to give up anything for Lent (like chocolate, shopping, etc.). However, if you do, the idea is that everything you think about the thing you gave up you pray instead.
These prompts are designed to set your mind on Christ, including words of assurance and time of confession.
I pray that these 25 prompts for prayers of confession go a long way to prepare your hearts and minds.
Free Bible Study for Lent
I have written a four-week Bible study called “The Stripes That Healed.” It is based on Isaiah 53:5, which is perfect for Lent:
“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
May these bless you as you draw close to Christ Jesus with your whole heart during Lent.
1. God’s Grace
Prompt: In the season of Lent I prepare to receive the Easter gift of resurrection. I am invited to walk a path of introspection and reflection acknowledging such things as the shadows and light in my life. Trusting in the grace of God, I admit my own sin.
Prayer: Holy God, You know me better than I know myself. You see me clearer than anyone. How impossible it seems that I could even try to hide anything from You! But I do. Sometimes I pretend to be better than I am. I do things I know will hurt others and act as though I am blameless. But I am not. I am complicit, and I am guilty, and I am broken. I ask for Your forgiveness because You love me more than I can imagine. You alone make me whole. This I ask in the name of Jesus, who came to show me the way. Amen.
2. Drawing Close
Prompt: I know that You are as close as my next breath. Yet sometimes it feels as if there is a great distance between us. Yet You did not move. I did. So I offer this prayer of confession.
Prayer: Dearest Jesus, when I feel abandoned the distance feels devastating. That distance acts as a force of evil when something conspires against me. That distance is sometimes my foolish choices or my selfish acts. I seek Your forgiveness. Assure me of Your closeness, Your power, and Your mercy. You live inside of me through the power of the Holy Spirit. Remind me of Your closeness today. In Your great mercy I pray, Amen.
3. Fellowship with God
Prompt: In the beauty of this sacred moment and the fellowship I have with the God of creation, I speak with Him about my life. I confess how I have not followed Him wholeheartedly and how I have faltered. Trusting in God’s grace and mercy, I pray this confession.
Prayer: Merciful God, You sent Jesus to take away the sin of the world. Because of Jesus’ blood shed for me, my sin does not separate us. I do things that hurt other people, the creation, mankind, and You. Reign fully over my life, Lord God. Give me strength and courage to be less hurtful and more loving. These things I pray in the name of Jesus, who set the perfect example. Amen.
4. Thankful Heart
Prompt: In a world that is always looking for more, remind me to be grateful for what God has already provided. With a thankful heart, I pray.
Prayer: Merciful and loving God: when I am ungrateful, remind me of Your grace. If I am oblivious, open my eyes. When I am harsh, gentle my spirit. If I am apathetic, show me Your suffering children. Should I demean myself, whisper that I am created in Your image. When I lose all hope, show me the empty tomb. Renew a right spirit within me. Shape me and turn me around, so that I will live with blessing and grace and light. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
5. Remove Distraction
Prompt: There are so many things that lobby for my attention. Remind me not to get distracted from the purposes God has for my life.
Prayer: God of mercy and love, I know that sometimes I allow myself to be distracted by things that don’t matter all that much. I would rather pursue intellectual arguments than live the Gospel. It seems that I would rather debate my equals than defend the vulnerable. I prefer to think about You instead of getting to know You. Help me, O Christ, to discern what matters to You and to the vulnerable You call me to help. Help me to open up my heart, wide in love and grace, and so be a living example of your Good News. In Christ, I pray. Amen.
6. Guard My Words
Prompt: I come before God in silence and in prayer, to open my heart to my Creator, the One who heals, loves, and forgives.
Prayer: Merciful God, hear my prayer. When I am weary, I do not offer kindness as often as I might. I admit that I do not add beauty to the world apart from You. I pay lip service to the cries of others and sit idly by until the sound fades. Sometimes I get it right, and sometimes I don’t. I ask for Your mercy and grace. I ask for Your help to give me the courage and strength to live as You would have me live. In the name of Jesus Christ, who gave me those qualities and who taught me all I need to know, I pray. Amen.
7. Keep Me From Sin
Prompt: Maybe it’s easier to understand sin as separation: separation from God, separation from others, separation from my identity in Christ. In the midst of separation, God walks toward me, inviting me to walk toward Him. In prayer, let me seek God’s grace.
Prayer: Holy God, sometimes I wander off. I get distracted by shiny things and get lost. Merciful God, You come to find me. Lost and afraid, I become stubborn and intractable. Loving God, You pick me up and brush me off and set my feet on Your right path again. You are the light of the world, so give me eyes past this present darkness. I will wander again, but for the moment, I am safe and forgiven. Keep my feet on Your path to make a difference in this world in Your name. Thank you in Jesus’ name, Amen.
8. Let Me See Those in Need
Prompt: Life is full of good things and full of hard things. I work to cope with the easy and with the sad. Sometimes I try to manage life all by myself apart from God’s guidance. I ignore the pain of someone else and the struggle of another. God calls me to see it all, and to help when I can. Aware of my shortcomings and confident in God’s grace, let me make my confession.
Prayer: Holy God, I am an imperfect person and I need Your love. Forgive me when I ignore Your children who cry out in distress. Lord, forgive me when I choose not to see those who remind me too much of myself. Forgive me when I put rules ahead of people, choose legality over kindness, and judgment that lacks mercy. Enable me to see as You see, the wide vistas open to the possibility of compassion and grace. O God, hear my prayer. Amen.
9. God Knows Me
Prompt: No one knows me better than God. No one loves me more than God. Lord, hear my prayer.
Prayer: Almighty God, You know me. You know my heart, You know my thoughts, You know my actions and human nature. You know my successes and my failures, that which commends me and that which condemns me. I know the good I have done, and how I have fallen short. Draw me close so that the burden of sin would not weigh me down. I pray that I would know you better so that the freedom of your mercy would enable me to fly. Forgive my sins, and restore me to wholeness, I pray. Amen.
10. Trusting God
Prompt: Sometimes I question what God is doing and question whether or not He knows best. Trusting God in all things, I pray this confession.
Prayer: Holy God, hear my prayer. As I walk this spiritual life, I relentlessly question You. You heal someone’s beloved, and I ask, “Why not this one too?” You shower food upon some who hunger, and I complain that my stomach is growling. Forgive me. Forgive me for my doubts and my limited sight. You are the God of justice with the final word. You see the whole thing, not only pieces like me. Open wide before me the expanse of Your grace. Let me feel and share the embrace of Your love. I am in awe of Your healing power. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.
11. The Love of God
Prompt: Even with seven billion people on this planet, God still knows me individually. He does not see me as part of a human blur. He sees my face. With a thankful heart, I pray this confession.
Prayer (based on Psalm 8): Great God of all creation, who am I that you are mindful of me? You set the stars in motion. And You set tides that launch waves crashing against the shore. You know the heights and depths of the world. Why do you bother with me? You count the hairs on my head and call me by name. You give me Your wisdom and You uphold me by Your Spirit. Faithfully, You take perfect care of me. I cannot grasp Your love for me, O God. In your mercy, forgive my shortsightedness and let me lean into the person You created me to be. I pray in the peace of Christ. Amen.
12. Brokenness
Prompt: There is so much brokenness in this world, including my own. I have been hurt and I have hurt others. In hope, I pray this confession.
Prayer: Holy God, hear my prayer. There is pain and there is sorrow, there are broken relationships and broken hearts. Sometimes I am the cause of those things. I have caused pain. I have broken the relationship. Sometimes I am simply a part of them – I am the one who suffers, I am the one who is broken. So I ask for Your forgiveness. I ask for Your healing. Turn me from my former self to a person who reflects Your mercy and grace. I pray in Christ’s name who is my example, Amen.
13. Remember My Purpose
Prompt: My purpose in this life is to shine the light of Jesus into a dark and hurting world. I realize that sometimes I don’t do that very well, so let me make my confession.
Prayer: O God, when I look at You in Your Word and then look at myself, I realize how tiny I am. But I am not so small that my actions are inconsequential. Sometimes a word of thanks brings warmth to a cold heart. A choice to forgive opens up a new future for two people. Sometimes a thoughtless gesture slashes the heart. Sometimes my inaction leaves the world in its sorry state. I ask for your help. I pray that I will not be captive to the wrong I do but changed by the mercy You grant. Amen.
14. Unburden Me
Prompt: I carry around so many unnecessary burdens each day. Releasing them to God frees me emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. To release my burden to the Lord, I pray this confession.
Prayer: Holy God, I carry the burdens of words spoken that I wish I had not. Acts done in anger or pride that I wish I could undo. I hold grudges for a long time, and I do not actively try to reconcile with those from whom I am estranged. Forgive me. Forgive my words and deeds and inactions that cause You and others sorrow. Restore me, renew me, and give me the strength. I pray for the courage and love to be an effective witness to You. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.
15. Surrendering to God
Prompt: Despite my sorrows and sins I am given light and beauty that comes from God. Trusting in Your unfailing love, let me make my confession during Lent.
Prayer: God of love and mystery, make me whole. Heal the wounds I carry. Let Your love heal the wounds I have created in others. Make me strong in the broken places so that I speak from experience when I tell others that Your mercy and hope are real. Forgive me and enable me to forgive without hesitation. God of love and mystery, make me whole. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
16. A Holy Offering
Prompt: I have come to God with a full heart. A heart that carries sorrow, worry, and guilt. In this sacred time I offer my heart to God, remembering Christ’s invitation that all who are weary and carrying heavy burdens may come to Him. Trusting in that love, let me make my confession.
Prayer: Holy God, I offer You my life. That the good I have done will build up Your children, and not my ego. I pray that the harm I have caused will lead me to confession and atonement. That the anxiety that eats at me will be transformed into trust. That the hope You give will multiply and leaven the world like yeast. Righteous God, hear me, forgive me, reshape me, and love me, I pray. Amen.
17. Look to the Light
Prompt: The troubles in the world around me and in my own life lead me to dark places. Unrest and division in the world trouble me greatly. I want to live in the light of Christ, so I make this confession.
Prayer: Holy God, I admit to You that all is not right. In my heart and in this world, there is much darkness. Father, let Your light shine into the darkness of sinful eyes. Let me see what You have mended rather than what is broken. I long to praise rather than criticize. Let my focus rest on You and not self-interests during this season of Lent. Turn my eyes onto You. Let me experience and share Your grace, healing, and love. This I pray in the strong name of Jesus. Amen.
18. I Am Loved
Prompt: I can be so hard on myself. Some days I feel very unlovable. But that does not line up with who You say that I am, so I pray this confession during Lent.
Prayer: Holy God, remind me that I am loved when I find myself unlovable. Remind me that there is hope when all I see around me causes despair. You sent the Prince of Peace when war and violence threaten. Remind me that You are the merciful judge when injustice seems to prevail. You give me all I need to do Your work in the world. Remind me that with the help of Your grace, I can be graceful to others. I confess my doubt. Give me the strong faith to trust in Your love. Amen.
19. A Call to Mercy
Prompt: The call to confession is always a call to experience God’s mercy. In admitting the truth to my loving Creator, I open myself to the mercy of God’s grace and healing. Trusting in that divine love, let me pray.
Prayer: Gracious God, when I hear bad news reports around the world it feels as if I am in the middle of a bad dream. There is so much heartache and brokenness in this world. Let me not simply turn over and go back to sleep, ignoring the plight of Your children. It is hard to see tragedy and suffering. It is hard to admit my responsibility as part of the heartache. It’s hard to work for the good when the good seems so far off. So help me, dear Lord. Give me the courage to see clearly. Give me the strength to do my part. Grant me the grace to forgive others as You have forgiven me. And give me faith to follow you wholeheartedly. This is my prayer, offered in the name of Christ. Amen.
20. True Faith
Prompt: Faith is more than an intellectual pursuit. Faith is my compass for how I live each day. During this quiet time, I can reflect on how I am living. Does my life reflect Jesus? Mindful of God’s grace and love, let me make my confession.
Prayer: Dear God, have mercy on me for the wrong I have done. Give me the eyes of faith to see people in need. Help me set aside my prejudice and bias. Fill me with a longing to know You better. Forgive me for my lukewarm responses. Kindle in me the passion for Your work. Set me free from doubt and fear. Send me out to shine Your light and love to others. This I pray in the name of Jesus, my leader, my guide, my Savior. Amen.
21. Just Admit It
Prompt: To confess is to admit – to admit something that might make me feel guilty, ashamed, or sad. To confess to God is to await that word of grace, of forgiveness, of hope. Trusting in God’s mercy, let me make my confession.
Prayer: Loving Creator, I admit that I like placing You into neat little boxes. – the God of this, the God of that, the God of these people but not of those people. I admit I make You too small. I admit I try to make You manageable. Forgive my short-sightedness, my self-limitedness, and my stubbornness. Give me the faith to follow You and Your Word wholeheartedly. Let me embrace the joy of being dearly loved by You. In Christ, I pray, Amen.
22. Lay Down Burdens
Prompt: The call to confess is the call to lay down the burdens I carry. Guilt, judgment, and unkindness are heavy, indeed. I lay my burdens down at the foot of the Cross. Trusting in the mercy and love of God, let me pray.
Prayer: Savior, like a shepherd lead me; much I need Thy tender care. Forgive me for the wrong I know I have done: my neglect of the vulnerable; my misuse of Your gifts; my hoarding of things I am called to share. Forgive me for failing to do good, offering grace to the imperfect; forgiving those who have hurt me; seeing the good that surrounds me. Turn me away from that which harms, and turn me to You, the only One who heals. Amen.
23. Forgive Me
Prompt: There are days when I hurt people that I love. I blame my busy schedule or impatient nature, but I know that I hurt others when my mind is not focused on the Lord. In my confession, hear my prayer.
Prayer: Holy God, I know when I have hurt another. I know when I have acted against Your rule of love. When I have neglected to do something that would help another person or help the world. I know that I sin and come before You in true repentance. I also know that You love me, forgive me, and call me to forgive others. So enable me in all of this to be Your servant in service and mission. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
24.Being Like Christ
Prompt: So often I do not act like Jesus. There are times when I do not respond to others with love and respect. As I open my heart, hear my prayer of confession.
Prayer: Holy and wonderful God, hear my prayer. You alone enable me to be different – less judging, less selfish, less greedy; more hopeful, more graceful, more trusting. I would be different if I opened my heart to Your cleansing. If I opened my hands for You to direct them. If I would relinquish control of my feet to follow You. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, loosen my grip and remake me in Your image. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
25. Confession
Prompt: To confess to God is to do something holy – opening myself to the light and healing of the divine. Trusting in God’s grace and mercy, let me confess.
Prayer: Holy God, forgive me for being prideful. In times when I need you most, I forget how to be humble and how to seek Your help. Forgive me for being so smug and anxious. I admit that I am not in control of my own life. You are. And You know what is best for me. Forgive me and enable me to be who You created me to be. This I pray in Jesus’ strong name, Amen.
My Prayer for You
As you and I eat this daily bread of confession and repentance until Good Friday, I pray that our Heavenly Father breathes new life into your soul with His steadfast love. That He reminds you of the joy of your salvation.
Our merciful Father gives you a clean heart as you approach the foot of the Cross each day along this Lenten journey.
This season of repentance and mindful silent confession reminds us how great the love of God truly is as He gives us new eyes leading up to Holy Week.
With a collective humble heart, we utter a unison prayer of confession for the forgiveness of sins. We wait to celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Amen.
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When you feel alone, what Bible verses can you cling to? I have been divorced for over a decade and do not have children. I can certainly relate to feelings of loneliness and feeling alone.
However, there are specific Bible verses for when you feel alone that God used to help me along the way. I pray that they will help you, as well.
I learned over those difficult years that there is a vast difference between being alone and the feeling of loneliness.
Being alone is simply a physical state, not an emotional one. As a writer, there are many days when I am alone. However, in doing what I love I do not feel lonely.
When I am feeling lonely that tells me that I have been spending too much time in my own company. I have found that the best way to tackle feelings of loneliness is community.
God designed us to be in community with one another. So I will call one of my sisters or a good friend and suggest that we get together. We could spend time doing such things as coffee, lunch, brunch, or simply to go see a movie. Just being together and actively engaging in life helps!
Real relationship and interactions with real people matter. Social media just doesn’t cut it.
Best Bible Verses for Loneliness
Times of loneliness creep in when I have spent too long in times of solitude. Living alone and working from my own home can lead to feelings of isolation.
Other times, lonely hearts happen when we cannot find someone who understands what we’ve been through.
Here are some great verses that remind us of the presence of God in those dark times.
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
God is with us always. As believers, He lives in us through the power of the Holy Spirit. I know that He is my very present help when the troubles of my heart feel overwhelming.
God’s promises never fail. Ever. He has been faithful since the foundation of the world and will be so until time no longer exists. Our first defense against loneliness is to connect with our loving God in prayer or God’s Word.
Psalm 27:10
“For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in” (Psalm 27:10).
Perhaps family is not part of your life. The good things and good cheer that come from a loving family are not your reality. This is one of the most powerful scriptures to remind you that Christ Jesus, the very Son of God, has taken you in.
The unfailing love of God demonstrated to you through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus never leaves you all the days of your life. His presence provides perfect peace in times when your heart feels like dry land.
1 Peter 5:7
“Throw all your anxieties upon him, because he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7).
This is one of the most inspirational Bible verses when your path of life feels lonely. Anxiety often accompanies loneliness for several reasons. This verse reminds us that God’s love and care for us never take a vacation. He is with us to the very end of the age.
One of the best ways to relieve anxiety and loneliness is to help someone in need. Our heavenly Father gives us the body of Christ — each other — to ease our burdens and the burdens of others.
Good deeds remind us that God cares for everyone. And the love of Christ shines beautifully when we look after each other in times of need.
Comforting Bible Verses When You Feel Lonely
Sometimes our loneliness comes when we choose to see our problems as bigger than God. Then we may start looking for easy escape paths or temporary solutions.
Some choose to look for a way of escape through substances that numb their senses. But turning to our Lord God and Father of mercies means that we rely on His good courage to be overcomers. His strength is matchless! Only solutions that He provides bring eternal security.
Romans 8:31-32
“What, then, are we to say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare even his own Son, but gave him up on behalf of us all — is it possible that, having given us his Son, he would not give us everything else too?” (Romans 8:31-32).
Those are some of the most powerful words in the Bible: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” God holds us securely with His victorious right hand! He takes on the whole world on our behalf!
God’s strength is matchless and nothing can defeat us (including loneliness) when we surrender our thoughts, feelings, and lives to Him. Deep waters will never overtake us because He takes great delight in protecting us with His unending love.
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
When we struggle with loneliness, the Bible reveals one thing loud and clear: God has never and will never leave us despite how many times we have left Him.
God spoke those words to Joshua after Moses died and Joshua was about to lead God’s people into the Promised Land. The Israelites had wandered in a sun-scorched land for forty years due to unbelief and lack of faith. But God never left them.
God provided manna every day as food while they were in the desert. Even there, God looked after them. They had left God, but He never left them.
The same is true for us. So our holy High Priest reminds us in a loud voice: “Be strong and courageous! I am with you wherever you go.” Feeling lonely? Call on Jesus’ name!
Bible Verses About the God of All Comfort
I remember during the early days of my divorce just how raw I felt. But I also remember that God provided special time with loved ones and dear friends at just the right moments.
After God navigated my heart and life through that hard time, I wrote an entire book and Bible study on how God is our faithful source of all comfort.
His holy presence never left me and they will never leave me (or you) all the days of my life.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3-7).
He knows everything we need precisely when we need it. Then He leverages those experiences so that we can help others.
The peace of God seems elusive when loneliness blows in like a desert wind. But the truth is that God is our wellspring of life and a bountiful spring of water in our souls when everything around us seems withered.
Psalm 139:11-13
“If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:11-13).
God knows our thoughts and feelings. He knows when we feel that darkness threatens us. He knows when we are asleep or awake. He knows us so well because He knit us together.
Loneliness is a beast and can twist your mind to believe that you are actually alone. But God has been and always will be with you to the end of time.
In the Lord’s presence, there is fullness of joy! He is your light on the wings of the dawn. He is your hope, future, and holy dwelling. No one has a greater love for you than God.
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In God’s perfect wisdom, He knew that men needed women. That we needed each other. God created mankind for community, so it is not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). But what exactly is the power of a woman?
Today’s culture argues that women need to be obnoxious and overbearing to be strong. Scripture teaches precisely the opposite. Compassion, wisdom, and gentleness are highly valued throughout the Bible. So let’s dive in.
The power of a woman comes from God. A godly woman faithfully seeks God in everything that she does (1 Chronicles 16:11). She is compassionate, kind, and brave – a woman after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). Here is how we can become such a woman.
What Makes a Woman Strong According to the Bible?
There are many young women and older women in the Bible that I view as powerful and strong. The stories of women show me in real time what being strong actually looks like.
I did not grow up in the church so I learned about being a strong woman of faith by being around godly women. I hung around them in my congregation and got to know them. Their actions revealed their love for Jesus and me.
I also studied very carefully the women in Scripture. And what they demonstrate is profound.
Showing God’s Love
The first thing that makes a godly woman strong is living out and showing God’s love to others. A strong woman’s love enables others to be confident and strong in the Lord.
In the Orthodox Church, the third week after Easter is called the Week of the Myrrh-bearing Women. At a time when every disciple of Christ deserted Him, the Myrrh-bearing Women stood at the Cross to see His crucifixion and to lay His body down in the grave. Their devotion and love of Jesus Christ shone brightly at that difficult time.
We see women following and serving Jesus in the Gospels with great care and love. They also served others with love in His name.
Love is truly a hallmark of a strong godly woman.
Good Works and Good Deeds
Another characteristic is that a woman’s good works and good deeds show great strength of faith. Being diligent with our hands and time makes us role models for young girls.
Can you remember a particular woman who was your role model? I bet that she did not just sit around the house.
The first example that God provided to me was my mom. Mom never got to watch a movie at home all the way through when my sisters and I would finally lasso her into sitting down.
The clothes soon needed to be changed from the washer to the dryer. Or a cake needed to be taken out of the oven. Or Dad would need her opinion on something. She was like a jack-in-the-box.
My mom loved taking care of her girls, her husband, and her home. Women’s roles may have evolved, but truly important women keep the home fires burning.
Being Gracious
Being a gracious woman is also a hallmark of the strong and great women of the Bible.
A gracious woman is pleasantly kind. You show regard and respect for others in manners, speech, and behavior. Do you know a woman who meets that definition?
Whether a housewife or holding leadership positions, a woman strong in the Lord is gracious even to those who may be unkind. Much like Jesus was.
God gives you the strength to be gracious through the power of the Holy Spirit. Relying on the power of Christ given to all of God’s people makes all the difference.
What is the Biblical Purpose of a Woman?
The primary biblical purpose of a woman is no different than a man:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).
In addition, the Lord God blessed women with the unique ability to bear children. Although I never had children, each of my three sisters did. They all agree that motherhood is the biggest blessing and sometimes the hardest challenge of their entire lives.
However, there is much more to the power and strength of a godly woman besides motherhood.
The Proverbs 31 Woman
When I first became a Christian in my early twenties I read Proverbs 31 with a sinking heart. I did not emulate any of those godly qualities. So I have tackled them one by one throughout my life.
1. An Excellent Wife
“The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life” (Proverbs 31:11-12).
I was married for thirteen years. As a corporate America career woman, I cannot say that I was always an excellent wife.
However, I was faithful and loved taking care of my husband, our home, and our kitty cat. I began serving in the music ministry at church because he had an excellent singing voice. We loved singing and serving together.
Being an excellent wife is far more than simply being present or good in bed. It means investing time and effort in making your house a loving home, whether or not you have children.
Making your home a sanctuary of love and compassion is a special gift to you and your family. Creating a calm, peaceful, and safe space is a very godly and good thing.
2. Willing Hands
“She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. And she makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant” (Proverbs 31:13-14, 24).
A powerful woman has willing hands. You are always looking out for ways to bless your home, family, and community.
Working diligently with your own hands and mind is a holy thing. God has given you the ability to think and produce good fruit from your hands. You and those around you benefit greatly.
Willing hands can look like dusting your home’s blinds to keep dust allergens at bay. Making oatmeal protein cookies for the homeless. Or learning a profitable skill to increase your household income.
It is a blessing to nurture willing and diligent hands. They are a loud voice of action to show God’s greater love of care and compassion to the world.
3. Not Lazy
“She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens” (Proverbs 31:15).
I am not a morning person. Waking up while it is “yet night” sounds terrible. There, I said it.
However, this verse means that you will not find a strong woman of the Lord still lazing in bed at Noon (unless she is ill). I love rising in the morning to feed my kitty cats and head out into the garden.
Gardening is hard work, but the rewards are immeasurable. I want to ensure that I have good, healthy fruits and vegetables for my table and to share with family and neighbors. Gardening also provides exercise.
When I look at the ingredients list of some store products, it makes me want to get up even earlier to ensure that I know what goes into the food that I put into my mouth. Like successful gardeners, godly women cannot be lazy.
4. Resourceful
“She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. And she perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night” (Proverbs 31:16-18).
In biblical times as in today, a strong woman knows the value of having profitable resources.
That could be translated as committing money into a 401(k), investing in real estate, planting a garden, or forming a profitable homestead. The meaning here is that the ups and downs of the world markets will not break a strong woman of God.
When you are wise with the resources that the Lord gives you, you will always have enough for your home and to share with those in need.
5. Generous
“She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy” (Proverbs 31:19-20).
A strong woman is also generous with her time and resources. A beautiful grace of life is being able to help those whom God puts in your path.
Understanding how much Christ Jesus has done for you opens your heart and hands to be a blessing to those in need. It can be as simple as sharing your garden abundance or volunteering an afternoon at a women’s shelter.
Being generous does not have to be complicated. When God gives you an abundance spend time in prayer to see who He wants you to bless with that overflow.
6. Homemaker
“She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple” (Proverbs 31:21-22).
In my twenties, I would cringe at the mention of women being good homemakers. Liberation meant women were freed from the kitchen, right?
I did not understand the concept from God’s perspective. Taking care of your home means that your family is not lacking for any basic need even if the world crumbles around you. You are setting up your family for success.
For example, I have started making my own bread over the past year. Becoming aware of the outrageously unhealthy ingredients that are included in some store-bought items was the catalyst. Have you read the ingredients list on your favorite store-bought food lately?
Being a godly homemaker means ensuring that your home environment nurtures your spiritual, mental, and physical well-being. Changing the world begins at home.
7. Role Model
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is in vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:25-27, 30).
Our culture shouts that women who claw up the corporate ladder or become social media stars are perfect role models. That is not what God’s Word says.
Women with strength, dignity, wisdom, kindness, diligence, and unwavering love for the Lord are true influencers.
Mothers who raise children to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12) can change society for the better at a grassroots level.
A godly woman can be a catalyst for great things simply by nurturing and loving her own family.
Strong Women in the Bible
There is no shortage of strong women in the Bible from whom we can learn much. Here are some of my favorite godly women.
Mary Magdalene
“And also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out” (Luke 8:2).
The first time that Mary Magdalene shows up on the pages of Scripture, she has already been healed by Jesus. She is the most misunderstood and historically distorted follower of Jesus found in the New Testament.
Not once is she linked whatsoever in Scripture to any sexual immorality. She is only mentioned twelve times in the Bible. Eleven of those twelve times she is witnessing about Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.
What Scripture does tell us about Mary Magdalene is that her past included demonic possession. She was in a desperate, hopeless, and helpless situation. Then Jesus showed up and healed her. She devoted the rest of her life to serving Jesus. Mary Magdalene is usually listed first in the list of Jesus’ female disciples.
This extraordinarily strong woman never forgot where she came from. She never forgot Who rescued her from it. And she spent the rest of her life serving Him wholeheartedly.
The Virgin Mary offers a beautiful example of a strong woman in the New Testament. Mary of Nazareth was the mother of Jesus (Luke 1). She went from rural obscurity to highly favored.
When the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be Jesus’ mother, she asked, “How can this be?” She struggled and had doubts, much like you and I. Mother Mary without a husband? Yet she trusted God wholeheartedly.
After such a miraculous start, no mother should have to watch her son crucified like a common criminal. Yet God gave her incorruptible strength.
Mary’s calling was not an easy one. God knew that. There must have been times when she did not feel highly favored or very strong. God knew that, too. God has chosen and prepared you for a specific calling, as well. He will give you HIS strength to survive and thrive.
Esther was a Jewish orphan with a lot of character but not a lot of opportunities. However, when King Ahasuerus got rid of his queen for disobedience, God set the stage for Esther to play a vital role in saving the people of Israel from annihilation.
Three things made Esther a strong woman of God. First, she knew God and trusted Him. Being raised in a Jewish household meant that she knew God and His Word. A strong woman follows the Lord. Her story is found in the Old Testament Book of Esther.
Second, she listened to wise counsel from trusted advisors. Her older cousin Mordecai faithfully raised her and looked out for her once she had been swept into the King’s palace. Esther only speaks eight times in the entire book of Esther. A strong woman listens more than she talks.
Finally, she bravely stepped up past fear to prevent the genocide of the children of Israel. Queen Esther approached the king uninvited, which literally could have cost her life. He listened to her and ended up passing a decree that would save her and her people from death.
Abigail, the wife of Nabal of Carmel, is the only woman in the Hebrew Bible who is described as both intelligent and beautiful. We find her story in 1 Samuel 25.
David requested food for himself and his band of six hundred men who were fleeing from the mad King Saul. They had been offering protection against marauders for the shepherds and flocks in the area. Nabal refused David and his men and called them riffraff. David armed himself intent on killing Nabal for the grievous insult.
This is where we meet Abigail for the first time. One of Abigail’s servants runs to her and begs her to intervene. Abigail quickly assembles an elaborate feast, loads it on donkeys, and intercepts a vengeful David and his men. She saves her foolish husband’s life with her generosity and apologizes to David.
Ten days later, God turns Nabal’s heart to stone and he dies. After her husband’s death, David hears that Abigail has been widowed and sends for her to become his wife.
Abigail’s kindness, quick mind, and generosity not only saved her life but also brought her great blessings.
Deborah
Deborah is the only female judge listed in Scripture. She is a charismatic military leader and instrumental in the story of how Israel takes the land of Canaan. Her story is found in Judges 4 and 5.
Along with being the only female judge, Deborah is also the only judge to be called a prophet. Deborah summons Barak to lead the battle against the Canaanites. Deborah, Barak, and his warriors destroy all the Canaanites (except Sisera).
In an era where women were relegated to the back burner, Deborah stands as a prominent leader in a male-dominated culture. However, we do not see her letting it go to her head. She remains a faithful, level-headed judge and servant of God.
Deborah’s story is truly inspiring. A strong, godly woman knows that true power is knowing when to use it.
Ruth
Ruth is a Moabite woman who married a Judean immigrant named Mahlon. Upon his death, she became a childless widow who decided to accompany her mother-in-law, Naomi, to Judah. We find Ruth’s story in the book of Ruth.
This strong young woman commits herself to an older woman in a world where life depends upon men. Ruth takes the initiative to find food and comes to the field of a prosperous man named Boaz, a relative of Naomi. Boaz allows Ruth to glean in his field and arranges for her safety.
When Ruth reports back to Naomi, she learns that Boaz is an important figure and redeemer within their larger family. After clearing any prior marriage claims, Boaz takes Ruth as his wife and she bears a son.
Ruth went to a strange land with her mother-in-law to make a new life. She cared for and provided for them as best she could. She ended up not only securing her own future, but that of generations to come. Talk about a strong woman!
Naomi, Ruth’s Mother-in-Law
Throughout Naomi’s story, she has a complicated relationship with God. Sometimes she blames God for her issues or concludes that God has forsaken her. Her story is found in the book of Ruth.
Naomi’s story begins as a wife and mother. But over time and through terrible tragedies, Naomi goes from wife to widow and mother to no-mother. She is stripped of all identity according to the culture of the day. She has a choice between death or carving out a new life.
Upon hearing that the Lord has restored food to Judah, Naomi begins the journey home. She tells each of her widowed daughters-in-law to return to their homes, but Ruth will not leave her side. They journey to Judah together.
When the women arrive in town, Naomi instructs the people not to call her “Naomi” (meaning “pleasant”) but instead “Mara” (meaning “bitter”). She is struggling to adjust. Can you relate? However, she successfully counsels Ruth to pursue Boaz to ensure their survival.
Naomi could have given up and disappeared into obscurity. Yet she was strong in the Lord and turned her face toward hope with her daughter-in-law. A strong woman never gives up.
Pharaoh’s Daughter
She was one of the most powerful women of her day yet we do not know her name. She was the only daughter of the Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose I. Yet she is best known for her role as Moses’ adoptive mother.
Thutmose I realized that the Jewish nation’s sheer strength in numbers could threaten his dynasty. His sacred counselors also foretold of a Hebrew man who would lift his nation above the Egyptians.
The pharaoh’s scribes warned him that, “There would be a child born to the Israelites, who, if he were reared, would bring the Egyptian dominion low, and would raise the Israelites; that he would excel all men in virtue, and obtain a glory that would be remembered through all ages” (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 9:2).
So pharaoh decrees that all young boys be put to death. Moses’ parents placed him in a basket and set him afloat in the Nile River to save his life. Pharaoh’s daughter discovers the floating basket. She pulls Moses out of the river and raises him as her son despite her father’s murderous edict.
Strong women take a stand, not a selfie. Talk about bravery!
The Jewish Midwives
Going hand-in-hand with the pharaoh’s daughter saving Moses, the Jewish midwives also played an important role during that time. Their story can be found in Exodus 1:15-22.
Pharaoh ordered: “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live” (Exodus 1:15-16).
However, the midwives honored God and chose to save the children from the pharaoh’s orders. They placed their lives on the line to save innocent children made in the image of God.
God blessed them for their bravery: “And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families” (Exodus 1:21).
Honoring God and cherishing life are significant traits of strong godly women.
Martha
Martha’s story is one that I can relate to easily. She was a strong Type A woman who liked to get things done. We see the most detail about Martha from Luke 10:38-42.
Martha and her sister Mary opened their home to Jesus as he traveled with his disciples. As Martha works hard at cooking and cleaning for their guests, Mary simply sits at the feet of Jesus and listens.
In Martha’s opinion, Mary was being completely unhelpful. So she tells to Jesus. “But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me‘” (Luke 10:40). Yet, Jesus took Mary’s side saying that Mary had chosen better.
I invited my whole family over recently for my sister’s birthday. I had no problem asking them to help with preparations so that we could all sit down together when they were done. The power of a godly woman depends on Jesus and His perfect timing.
There is a time for rushing and preparing. Then there is a time to simply sit at Jesus’ feet and listen.
Mary, the Sister of Martha
We learned a bit about Mary of Bethany from her sister Martha’s story above. They lived in Bethany just on the other side of the Mount of Olives from Jerusalem.
When Jesus and His disciples arrived, Mary’s focus is clear: “And Martha had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching” (Luke 10:39). While Martha rushed around to serve Jesus, Mary rested at Jesus’ feet.
So how can you be a strong woman of God just by sitting and listening? Mary was listening to the wisdom of Christ. You and I do that every time we open the Bible.
Mary chose to soak in those precious moments with Jesus. And Jesus praises her for it: “Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42). Mary was not being lazy. She chose to spend time with Jesus.
Despite the pressure of our culture today, spending time with Jesus is always a beautiful, strong choice for all Christian women.
What are Powerful Verses For Women?
The Word of God has much to say about women. It offers powerful verses that we can take to heart to be a wise woman of God.
Specifically for women:
“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:30).
“A gracious woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth” (Proverbs 11:16).
“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God” (1 Peter 3:3-4).
“A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands” (Proverbs 14:1).
Powerful Verses in General:
“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).
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).
Powerful Verses for Strength:
“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14).
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him” (Psalm 28:7).
God honors women who put Him first. He gives us the strength and love that we need to follow Him each day.
I pray that you are seeking to become one of those strong women in the Lord, sister!
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The story of Esther is an epic cinematic drama. A young Jewish girl caught in a situation beyond her control. Esther is one of my favorite stories in Scripture. I have even written a whole Bible study on the book of Esther.
Time after time, the God intervened to save her and the Persian Jews from certain death. Here is her incredible story of courage.
The author of the biblical book of Esther is unknown. Esther’s story opens amid the lavish setting of the opulent Persian Empire.
The king dismisses Queen Vashti for disobedience. Afterward, King Ahasuerus demands that every beautiful young virgin come before him as new-wife material.
Esther, a Jewish orphan, steps into the Persian king’s palace. After surviving the king’s harem, young Esther finds favor with the king.
Esther dons the crown of Queen of Persia! And we begin to see God’s plan unfold.
Esther’s cousin Mordecai provides wise counsel throughout her time in the palace. The evil court official Haman sets his mind to eradicate the Jewish people from Persia. And it becomes clear that God will use Esther’s courage to save His people from genocide.
Key Characters
There are four main characters that the author of Esther includes, amidst other smaller characters.
1. Esther
The main character is Esther, a young woman of Jewish background. After her parents’ death, her older cousin Mordecai raises the orphan girl. He provides, protects, and takes care of her.
“The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter” (Esther 2:7).
The name “Esther” originates from the Persian word meaning “star”. Esther was born with the Hebrew name “Hadassah,” which means “myrtle.”
The reign of King Ahasuerus spanned 486-465 BC. He is the fourth legitimate monarch in the Achaemenid Empire, which ruled over Persia for more than 175 years.
The King of Persia holds the highest position and wears the royal crown of Persia. He is a godless, self-centered ruler who wants his own way at all costs.
He surrounds himself with hundreds of beautiful women and occupies his time with lavish parties. The royal wine flows freely at these parties.
“Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the citadel, in the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants” (Esther 1:1-3).
3. Haman
Every drama needs a villain. Haman fills that role in the Book of Esther. Haman is the king’s prime minister. He holds extraordinary political power and knows exactly how to manipulate the king.
“After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, and advanced him and set his throne above all the officials who were with him. And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him” (Esther 3:1-2).
Haman is identified as an Agagite. The king of the Amalekites was named Agag. Agag’s people were known as Agagites. Haman was a descendant of the Amalekites, who were bitter enemies of the Benjamites (Mordecai’s ancestors). This ancestry pits Haman against Mordecai from the start.
4. Mordecai
Mordecai is Esther’s older cousin from the tribe of Benjamin (Jacob’s youngest son), one of Israel’s twelve tribes.
”Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite, who had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away. He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, the daughter of his uncle, for she had neither father nor mother” (Esther 2:5-7).
Kish was also a Benjamite who had a son named Saul whom God anointed as the first king of Israel. Consequently, Mordecai belonged to the same tribe and shared the same lineage as King Saul.
Purpose of the Book of Esther
The scroll of Esther never mentions God’s name. Yet the providence of God is clear throughout this Old Testament book. The Book of Esther was written to the Jewish exiles to encourage their faith.
God uses Esther’s story to open our eyes to a much bigger view of Himself. Her story shows that every decision God leads us to make sets the stage for His glory to shine.
God appears throughout the biblical account even though His name is absent. We can easily compare Esther’s story to an invisible chess game between God and Satan. God inevitably declares, “Checkmate!” God’s sovereignty is unquestionable.
Esther is part of an oppressed people living in a foreign land. She is an orphan with a lot of character but not a lot of opportunities. Through her story God shows how He preserved His people after the Babylonian exile.
Major Events in Esther
There are several major events in the Book of Esther that propel the story forward. There are lavish banquets, intrigue, an assassination plot, Esther’s courage, and even months of beauty treatments for Esther.
1. Lavish Banquets
The multisensory glitz and splendor of King Ahasuerus’ court in Susa must have rivaled Hollywood on steroids. Each time a major plot twist occurred a feast took place. There are ten feast events throughout Esther.
2. Queen Vashti Deposed
The king shows a serious lack of judgment. During one of his opulent banquets, he demands that Queen Vashti appear before him. He wants to show off his queen’s beauty to the men. She refuses.
The king’s officials advise the king to replace her and Vashti is never again seen in Esther’s story. God opens the door for Esther to be in the right place to save His people from dark days ahead.
3. The Miss Persia Contest
The king’s life is incomplete without a queen. His officials gather up all of the beautiful young women (virgins) to be considered for the job. Esther is caught in the net.
She follows Mordecai’s advice and keeps her Jewish identity hidden. That would prove essential to the fate of hundreds of thousands of human beings. Esther wins the king’s favor and is chosen as queen.
4. Mordecai Uncovers Assassination Plot
Mordecai overhears a plot at the king’s gate to murder King Ahasuerus. He reveals the plot to the proper authorities and the king’s life is saved. Mordecai’s good deed goes unrewarded.
5. Wicked Haman Demands Genocide
Haman is appointed Prime Minister. The king’s order states that all people should bow to Haman. As a good Jewish man who worships God alone, Mordecai refuses to bow.
Haman’s ego takes a hit. He persuades the king to sign an order to kill every Jew in the Persian empire. Haman has no idea that the king’s own Queen Esther is a Jew.
6. Esther Risks Her Life to Save the Jews
Mordecai lets Esther know about Haman’s evil plot and the king’s command to destroy all the Jews. Esther goes into the king’s presence uninvited (which could have cost her life). She invites the king and Haman to come to her house for a banquet.
They enjoy a very pleasant evening the first time. The following evening Esther invites the king and Haman back for a second banquet. There, she reveals Haman’s evil plot to the king which puts her own life at risk as a Jew.
The king orders Haman’s immediate execution. Victory! Unfortunately, Haman’s murderous decree is still in effect.
7. Mordecai Becomes Prime Minister
After discovering Mordecai’s unrewarded loyalty in saving his life, the king appoints Mordecai as Prime Minister in Haman’s place. The king allows Mordecai and Queen Esther to write a counter-decree that allows the Jews to defend themselves.
8. The Jews Defeat the Persian Army
After receiving permission to defend themselves the Jewish people arm and prepare for battle. After a single day of fighting, the Jews defeat the Persian army without having lost one life among them. A second smaller fight takes place the next day that completes their victory.
9. Feast of Purim Inaugurated
Esther, Mordecai and the Jewish people celebrate their victory by commemorating those days to be celebrated throughout the ages:
“And Mordecai recorded these things and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, obliging them to keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and also the fifteenth day of the same, year by year, as the days on which the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and gifts to the poor” (Esther 9:20-22).
Timeline of Esther
479 BC: Ahasuerus’ officials hold nationwide search for new queen
479-478: Esther crowned as Persia’s new queen
April 474: Haman despises Mordecai for now bowing; determines to destroy all Persian Jews
April 17, 474: Haman casts lots and sets March 7, 473 as date for Jewish genocide
June 474: Esther foils Haman’s plot; Ahasuerus orders Haman’s execution
June 25, 474: Ahasuerus issues royal decree enabling Jews to defend themselves
March 7, 474: Jews successfully defend themselves against Persian forces
March 8, 474: Haman’s 10 sons hanged; Jews celebrate battle victories
March 9, 474: Jews inaugurate Feast of Purim for all time to celebrate God’s rescue of the Jews
Esther’s Jewish Roots
Esther’s parents had died (Scripture is silent as to how). As a Jewish maiden, Jewish tradition holds that family members take her in raise her within the Jewish community.
Esther’s older cousin Mordecai takes her in and raises the little girl as his daughter. She is Mordecai’s younger cousin, not the daughter of Mordecai. She is raised to love her Jewish heritage just like Jews today. Esther is never mentioned in the New Testament.
The Book of Esther is contained in the Megilloth. These “five scrolls” appear in the third part of the Jewish canon. During five special occasions in the Jewish year, rabbis read aloud five Old Testament books in the synagogue. Esther is read during the Jewish Festival of Purim.
How Did Esther’s Story End?
Esther begins as an orphan yet ends up as Queen of Persia. A common question is, “How did Queen Esther die?” Scripture does not tell us.
Scholars believe that Esther remained in Persia until her death, even though she likely did not remain Queen after Ahasuerus’ death. The complete time period of her life is unknown.
Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the author of Esther reveals God’s perfect plan. His covenant relationship with His chosen people is unbreakable. The entire story reveals how the hiddenness of God does not mean the absence of God.
I highly recommend undertaking an in-depth study of Esther’s incredible story through Scripture and my Bible study, “Chosen.”
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Abraham is one of my favorite characters in Scripture. He was the first Hebrew Patriarch and a man of great faith. Three great monotheistic religions revere Abraham: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
You can learn so much from the faith of Abraham. His obedience to God’s plan and faithful service set the bar high.
Abraham exhibited many godly traits. He was a righteous man with an unwavering commitment to God, He also showed compassion and generous hospitality. He was a man of peace and a friend of God.
Abraham was one of the Bible’s great leaders. He journeyed through the Promised Land and became a new nation as God had promised. He followed God’s commands without question. And Abraham believed God’s promise by actively following God’s call.
Five Facts About Abraham
The faith of Abraham is a living example of hope in the promises of God. Abraham’s life in the book of Genesis provides much insight into how to live a godly Christian life.
God blessed Abraham and his wife Sarah above all of the families of the earth. They became His great nation and Abraham became the father of many nations.
1. Abraham’s Origins
Abraham’s name in Hebrew is Avraham, originally called Abram (Avram) by God. He lived in the 2nd millennium BCE.
The first thing that Genesis recounts about Abraham is that he left Haran. He packed up his entire family and headed toward Canaan. From there he went down to Egypt and then onto Negeb in the southernmost region of Palestine.
Many scholars place the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob during the end of the Middle Bronze I era. It included the beginning of the Middle Bronze II era throughout the ancient Near East.
2. Abraham and the Three Monotheistic Religions
In Christianity, we trace Jesus Christ’s earthly genealogy to the birth of Isaac, Abraham’s seed with his wife Sarah. Abraham offered his son Isaac as a burnt offering for the Lord. God spared him and this incident foreshadows Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
In Judaism, the Jewish people trace their descendants and the nation of Israel back to Abraham’s son Isaac. He was the promised offspring, born of his wife Sarah.
In Islam, they trace the Prophet Muhammad’s genealogy back to the birth of Ishmael. Islam views Abraham’s firstborn son through Hagar as the fulfillment of God’s promise.
3. Abraham Was Not a Young Man
Abraham was a 75-year-old man when he first appeared in the Word of God. God could have chosen from numerous young men, but old age offers experience and wisdom that youth lacks.
Even though God promised to make Abraham into a great nation, his wife Sarai had not borne any children. Yet the faith of Abraham and his obedience yielded a very great reward.
Abraham’s name would go down in the biblical narrative as a great man of faith. God gave him great wealth. Abraham faithfully committed good works to the glory of God.
4. Abraham Believed in the Promise of God
Would you set out for a new land with all of our family members not knowing the destination? Yet that sums up the start of Abraham’s journey to the land of Canaan.
“Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:1-3).
The faith of Abraham is one of the most epic stories in God’s word. God called this ordinary person to accomplish the extraordinary.
5. Abraham Was a Man of Peace
Abraham’s nephew Lot was one of his family members who made the journey. Lot also owned flocks, herds, and tents. As they entered Negeb, Abraham realized that the land could not sustain their joint livestock. Rather than start a civil war:
“Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left” (Genesis 13:8-9).
Abraham could have demanded to have the first choice. Yet, he peaceably deferred setting the land boundaries to his nephew rather than cause strife. Abraham’s example of peace and generosity reflects his submission to God’s divine guidance.
Main Qualities We Can Learn from the Faith of Abraham
First and foremost, Scripture reveals very little about Abraham’s birth and early years. The New Testament refers to Abraham more than any other man apart from Moses.
God referred to Abraham as His friend (James 2:23), the only man to whom God bestowed this extraordinary title.
The faith of Abraham and his obedience to God were unparalleled. “Because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws” (Genesis 26:5).
Defining Characteristics of Abraham’s Faith
God alone generated the faith of Abraham. Through it he was able to withstand the most severe test any parent could face: giving up your child.
“When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son” (Genesis 22:9-10).
God rewarded the faith of Abraham by sparing his firstborn son:
“But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven. “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day. “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided” (Genesis 22:11-12, 14).
God preserved Abraham’s incredible faith in a place of honor in the book of Hebrews’ Hall of Faith. “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named” (Hebrews 11:18).
Leadership Qualities of Abraham
Abraham was a mere man and, like the rest of us, experienced moments of doubt, failure, and sin. Scripture faithfully recounts both the flaws and admirable qualities of biblical characters. Consequently, you and I can relate to them!
First, Abraham led his family with spiritual integrity. He understood God’s sovereignty and God’s mercy that would guide the rest of his life. His leadership style was to lead by example and highest moral integrity.
Second, every leader needs accountability. Abraham was accountable to the Highest Authority, as are you. He faithfully submitted to the Lord’s authority and remained accountable to God.
His spiritual journey provided a road map for your own life. That faith of Abraham shows how to live by to be righteous men and women devoted to the Lord.
The Story of Abraham from Scripture by Topic
You may not be familiar with the faith of Abraham or his whole story, whether in whole or in part. Here are the highlights of the footsteps of Abraham.
The Call of Abraham
“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you’.” (Genesis 12:1)
“So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan” (Genesis 12:4-5).
God’s Promises to Abraham
“I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:2-3).
“Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, ‘To your offspring I will give this land.’ So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him” (Genesis 12:7).
“Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him” (Genesis 17:19).
“The Lord said, ‘I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son’.” (Genesis 18:10)
“But God said to Abraham, ‘Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring’.” (Genesis 21:12-13)
Faith of Abraham Demonstrated
“And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord” (Genesis 12:8b).
“And he believed the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness. And He said to him, ‘I am the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess’.” (Genesis 15:6-7)
“When He had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. Then Abraham took Ishmael his son and all those born in his house or bought with his money. every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and he circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very day, as God had said to him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. That very day Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised. And all the men of his house, those born in the house and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him” (Genesis 17:22-27).
Abraham’s Failures
“And Sarai said to Abram, ‘Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.’ And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai” (Genesis 16:2).
“And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram” (Genesis 16:15-16).
“Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, ‘Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?'” (Genesis 17:17)
“The Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son’.” (Genesis 18:13-14)
His Lies
“When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, ‘I know that you are a beautiful woman in appearance, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake’.” (Genesis 12:11-13)
“From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb and lived between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar. And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, ‘She is my sister.’ And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, ‘Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife’.” (Genesis 20:1-3)
Abraham’s Blessings from God
“Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold” (Genesis 13:2).
“The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, ‘Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you’.” (Genesis 13:14-17)
“After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: ‘Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great’.” (Genesis 15:1).
God’s Words to Abraham
“And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: ‘This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.’ And he brought him outside and said, ‘Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be’.” (Genesis 15:4-5)
“And God said to Abraham, ‘As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her’.” (Genesis 17:15-16)
“For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him” (Genesis 18:19).
The Lord’s Promise of Family
“The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac” (Genesis 21:1-3).
“And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, ‘By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice’.” (Genesis 22:15-18)
“Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things” (Genesis 24:1).
Covenant with Abraham
“Then the Lord said to Abram, ‘Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age’.” (Genesis 15:13-15)
“On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, ‘To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites’.” (Genesis 15:18-20)
God’s Call to Abraham
“When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.’ Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, ‘Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your new name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God’.” (Genesis 17:1-8).
God’s Call for Circumcision
“And God said to Abraham, ‘As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant’.” (Genesis 17:9-14)
The Peacemaker
“Then Abram said to Lot, ‘Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left’.” (Genesis 13:8-9)
The Protector
“When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people” (Genesis 14:14-16).
“So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord.Then Abraham drew near and said, ‘Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?’ And the Lord said, ‘If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake’.” (Genesis 18:22-26)
Abraham Blessed by Others
“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” (Genesis 14:18-20).
“Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and returned Sarah his wife to him. And Abimelech said, ‘Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you.’ To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is a sign of your innocence in the eyes of all who are with you, and before everyone you are vindicated’.” (Genesis 20:14-16).
Abraham was Honorable
“And the king of Sodom said to Abram, ‘Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.’ But Abram said to the king of Sodom, ‘I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me’.” (Genesis 14:21-24).
“When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son” (Genesis 22:9-10).
Abraham’s Tests of Faith
“Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children” (Genesis 16:1).
“And Abimelech said to Abraham, ‘What did you see, that you did this thing?’ Abraham said, ‘I did it because I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife. Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children. For the Lord had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife’.” (Genesis 20:10-11, 17-18)
Another Test of Faith
“After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you’.” (Genesis 22:1-2)
The number of years of Abraham’s incredible life was 175. And the result of the faith of Abraham: “Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people” (Genesis 25:8).
I pray that you find encouragement through the faith of Abraham. May your life be as faith-filled!
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