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How Many Times Jesus Wept in the Bible (Jesus Weeps)

Posted on March 14, 2024March 13, 2024 by Donna Snow

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.

How Many Times Did Jesus Weep?
Jesus Weeps at the Death of Lazarus
Jesus Wept Over Jerusalem
Did Jesus Weep in the Garden of Gethsemane?
Does Jesus Weep With Us?
Why Should We Weep Over Our Sin?

How Many Times Did Jesus Weep?

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.

Related Posts:

About the Author

Donna Snow is a sought-after speaker, multi-published author, and Bible teacher. Her path from unchurched to becoming passionate about sharing Jesus was difficult. Read about her God-breathed journey: “From Unchurched to Becoming a Multi-Published Author and Sought-After Speaker.” If you want to send Donna a quick message, then visit her here.

{Some of these links are affiliate links. This means if you purchase through that link we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.}

The Biblical Meaning of Rainbows and Double Rainbows

Posted on March 4, 2024March 4, 2024 by Donna Snow

We are all familiar with rainbows and probably have seen many in our lifetime. But what is the biblical meaning of rainbows?

Sometimes, if we are fortunate, we can spot a double rainbow if we look closely. So what is the biblical meaning and significance of a rainbow and a secondary rainbow?

What is a Rainbow?
What Does the Bible Say About Rainbows?
When Does a Double Rainbow Occur?
Does the Bible Mention Double Rainbows?
Cultural Beliefs About Double Rainbows

What is a Rainbow?

The scientific explanation of a rainbow is simple. Rainbows are caused by reflection, refraction, and dispersion of light in water droplets resulting in a spectrum of light appearing in the sky. It takes the form of a multicolored circular arc.

Rainbows caused by sunlight always appear in the section of the sky directly opposite the sun. Two elements are required for a single rainbow to appear: light and water.

The most common time for the appearance of a rainbow is right after a rainstorm. When the sun comes out after the storm is the best chance of spotting a primary rainbow.

What Does the Bible Say About Rainbows?

The first time a rainbow appears in Scripture is in the story of Noah.

God had caused a great flood to wipe out every living creature on the face of the Earth except for those safe aboard the ark.

The biblical meaning of rainbows is precisely set forth in Genesis 9.

1. When the First Rainbow Appeared in the Bible

After spending approximately one year on the ark, God caused the waters to subside. Noah and his sons and their wives were finally able to disembark on dry land. That’s when God made a covenant with Noah.

“And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.‘” (Genesis 9:12-13).

God’s bow in the clouds is the visible reminder of God’s covenant with mankind. It is a symbol of hope to all living things that God’s promise is trustworthy.

2. Rainbows are God’s Holy Reminder

God does not have a faulty memory. However, mankind does. So rainbows are a sign of hope that the flooding we endure after a storm will never bring about an end to the physical world.

“When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh” (Genesis 9:14-15).

God’s covenant does not mean that storms will never come. He simply sets a rainbow in the clouds as a powerful symbol and good omen of His unfailing love. And God has kept His covenant promise to us to this day.

3. Spiritual Significance of Rainbows

Different cultures around the world talk about various meanings of rainbows. Some believe a pot of gold waits at the end of the rainbow. Some believe that it is merely a natural phenomenon of mixing refracted light and water droplets.

However, Christians believe that a rainbow contains more than symbolic meanings. The biblical meaning of rainbows represents God’s covenant that the earth will never again be utterly destroyed by a flood.

Rainbows represent better days ahead beyond the storms of life. It is not merely a symbol of God, but a message of God to His people for new beginnings despite our failures.

The Book of Genesis, chapter 9, contains numerous Bible verses about rainbows and their meaning in the spiritual realm.

“When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth” (Genesis 9:16-17).

When Does a Double Rainbow Occur?

According to the University of Wisconsin, the classic rainbow is a single, bright, colored arc. Red is the outermost color of this arc, and violet is always the innermost color.

On occasion, you may have seen two rainbows at once. The lower rainbow is the primary rainbow and the higher, fainter, colored arc is the secondary rainbow. The color sequence of the secondary rainbow is opposite to the primary; red is on the inside of the arc and violet on the outside.

The separation of colors is referred to as dispersion. Not only prisms but also water drops and ice crystals can cause dispersion. To form a rainbow you need large drops of water, the sun at your back and at the correct angle.

Raindrops act as prisms, bending and reflecting the sunlight that falls on them, just like a crystal hung in a sunny window.

Sometimes the light reflects twice off the back of the raindrop which leads to a secondary rainbow. The second reflection causes the order of the colors in the bow to reverse.

Does the Bible Mention Double Rainbows?

Though many theories exist about the spiritual meaning of the appearance of a double rainbow, a double rainbow is not mentioned in Scripture.

Other than Genesis 9, the only other place where the Bible mentions rainbows is in the Book of Revelation.

“And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald” (Revelation 4:3).

In Revelation 4:3, the rainbow is emblematic of the fact that, in the exercise of God’s absolute sovereignty and perfect counsels, He will remember His covenant concerning the earth. (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary, p. 505)

One other place in Revelation mentions a rainbow: “Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire” (Revelation 10:1).

Here the rainbow rests upon the head of an angel who declares that “there shall be delay no longer” (Revelation 10:6) and suggests a connection with the scene in Revelation 4:3 that the mercy to be shown to the earth must be preceded by the execution of divine judgments upon the nations who defy God and His Christ. (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary, p. 505)

Cultural Beliefs About Double Rainbows

Through the millennia, various cultures have connected rainbows to the spirit world. Ranging from symbols of hope to a sign of good fortune, a double rainbow served as a time to pause and notice the divine.

1. Native American Cultures

Various Native American tribes ascribe different meanings to the natural phenomena of rainbows and double rainbows.

The Navajo believe that the rainbow is a pathway between the physical and spiritual worlds, and is a sign of the Creator’s presence. This belief is perhaps the closest to the actual biblical meaning of rainbows.

In Lakota tradition, rainbows are considered to be the path of the spirit world, and they’re associated with the Thunder Beings, who they believe are powerful and benevolent beings.

The Cherokee believe that the rainbow forms the hem of the sun’s coat. Isn’t that a beautiful imagery? The next time I see a rainbow, I will have to see if it looks like the sun’s hem.

“Warriors of the rainbow” is a prophecy told by many cultures including Cree, Navajo, Hopi, Salish, Zuni and the Cherokee. “There will come a day when people of all races, colors, and creeds will put aside their differences. They will come together in love, joining hands in unification, to heal the Earth and all her children. They will move over the Earth like a great Whirling Rainbow, bringing peace, understanding and healing everywhere they go.”

2. Mythology About Rainbows

The Irish tradition of a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow is certainly not the oldest rainbow myth, but it may be the most pervasive in Western culture. You’re almost certainly familiar with the particulars: a wealth of riches is stored at the end of every rainbow, which is carefully guarded by a leprechaun.

In ancient Greek mythology, rainbows were the personification of the goddess Iris. She was a messenger in ancient Greece between Heaven and Earth, hence the representation of how the rainbow hangs between the two. In Homer’s epic the Iliad, Iris was a winged creature who specifically served as the messenger of Zeus. Her presence was always looked upon as a sign of hope.

In the Chinese culture, the dragon is synonymous with the rainbow as both dwell in the sky between heaven and earth. The word “hong” in Chinese means “rainbow,” and its character is drawn as a two-headed dragon with an arch in the middle that’s very reminiscent of a rainbow.

In Norse myth, Eddic Bifröst is a rainbow bridge built by gods, leading to their home in Asgard. Heimdallr, with his Gjallarhorn (“yelling horn”) stands guard at the place where the flaming rainbow bridge meets the clouds.

Bottom Line

Despite mankind’s mythology and cultural lenses, a rainbow is not a sign of good luck or a directional signal about our love life.

The Bible is clear. The biblical meaning of rainbows is that God alone creates them as an everlasting reminder of His covenant promise. They are a sign of God’s faithfulness to His people to never again destroy all living things with a devastating flood.

There is not any spiritual meaning of a double or second rainbow, other than perhaps God simply wants to delight us.

So every time you see a rainbow, it is a beautiful reminder that God is still on His throne and His covenant promises stand firm for all eternity. And that is real life good news every single day.

Related Posts:

About the Author

Donna is a sought-after speaker, multi-published author, and Bible teacher. Her path from being unchurched to becoming passionate about sharing Jesus was not easy. Read about her God-breathed journey: “From Unchurched to Becoming a Multi-Published Author and Sought-After Speaker.” If you want to send Donna a quick message, then visit her here.

{Some of these links are affiliate links. This means if you purchase through that link, the ministry may receive a small commission at no cost to you.}

Best Pens and Supplies for Ultimate Bible Journaling

Posted on February 29, 2024February 29, 2024 by Donna Snow

If you are new to Bible journaling, figuring out which are the best pens and markers to use can be a real challenge. You want the proper supplies to avoid tearing the thin pages and ink bleeding through.

As a bona fide Bible nerd, I have searched over the years to find the best type of pens to use in my Bible. Bible study is my passion. There is rarely a day when I am not in the Word of God, whether for a short time or longer.

I love scribbling notes in my study Bible, writing on the side of the page, and highlighting relevant passages. It’s always instructive to read previous notes and decipher various art scribbles.

Quick History of Bible Journaling
What Pen is Best for Writing in the Bible?
What Pen is Best for Bible Underlining?
Will Gel Pens Bleed Through Bible Pages?
What Highlighters Will Not Bleed Through Bible Pages?
The Benefits of Bible Journaling

After years of trying different colors, gel highlighters, ballpoint pens (fine point, hard tip, gel ink, etc.), I embarked on a quest to find the best Bible pens to use on those thin Bible pages. Here we go!

Quick History of Bible Journaling

Even though Bible journaling may seem like the latest new craze, Bible historians started it centuries ago.

Before the invention of the printing press during the Middle Ages, Bibles were painstakingly replicated by hand starting with a blank page.

Artists would often add hand-drawn illustrations. Not only were they beautiful, but the illustrations served to tell Bible stories to those who could not read Latin.

Bible journaling resurfaced in 1980 but took off like a rocket in 2014. A papercraft artist named Shanna Noel wrote a blog post showcasing her bright, colorful, artistic illustrations in her journaling Bible.

Her example of using the wide margins for note-taking caught. In fact, she wrote a very helpful book called A Workbook Guide to Bible Journaling.

Bible journaling began with fervor. Every craft store began carrying every kind of pen and pen point size to choose from. It was the best thing since sliced bread.

What Pen is Best for Writing in the Bible?

My favorite pens to mark and underline Bible passages on those delicate Bible pages contain pigment inks. Pigment ink pens possess archival quality traits. Those are by far the best pens for Bible journaling.

For a long time now I have used the Pigma micron pens. It has the finest point and is fade-resistant, waterproof, quick drying, and results in minimal bleed-through on our thin Bible paper.

Trust me, the type of pen you use matters to avoid obscuring the words. Here are the most readily available and common pigment-based pens:

They do not come in vibrant colors, yet these types of pens offer a variety of colors. They are more for actually writing notes in the margins and underlining than actual drawing or artwork.

What Pen is Best for Bible Underlining?

My favorite supplies for underlining a Bible verse contain an extra fine tip so that words are not covered up. The best pens for Bible journaling using notes and underline are usually the same kind.

Soft tip pens with thicker lines only work in Bibles with wide margins. Bible markers found in a typical Bible study kit have a hard time providing the best use.

The Prismacolor Premier Illustration Markers (also containing pigment ink) have withstood the test of time in my Bibles.

I usually use black ink for underlining, but use a lot of pens in different colors to make notes or for coloring. That’s simply my personal preference.

Will Gel Pens Bleed Through Bible Pages?

I am a huge gel pen fan. Tul pens are pretty much all I use when writing. However, after lots of trial and error, I have not found a gel ink pen that will not bleed through.

Pigment ink pens are simply the best for hand lettering, thinner lines, or detailed drawings (visual faith). See list above.

I found a great display of Pigma Microns at my local arts and crafts store. They carried different ink colors and paint pens with various nib sizes (line width).

For Bible journaling on those blank pages in the back of your Bible where you are not worried about obscuring words, I use the Tombow Dual Brush pens. They are brush tip water color pens that blend beautifully.

What is the Best NIB size?

The width of the writing or line you want to make is gauged by NIB sizes (head tip width). Here is a handy chart:

Nib Size	Width
005	0.2 mm
01	0.25 mm
02	0.30 mm
03	0.35 mm
05	0.45 mm
08	0.50 mm

I have pens in all sizes, but discovered that the best nib pen size for note writing or underlining are 005, 01, and 02. The 03 can be used for underlining, but the tip is generally too wide for writing notes.

To save time, I prefer to write and underline using one size. Efficiency, baby! The vast majority of my black pigment pens are nib 005.

The bottom line is the best pens for Bible journaling are the ones that works best for you!

What Highlighters Will Not Bleed Through Bible Pages?

There is one amazing set of Bible highlighters that I recently discovered. As soon as I tried them I blurted aloud, “Where have you been all my life?” Hahaha.

A gift from a friend, I use the Mr. Pen Sleek highlighters in my Bible. They are perfect as they do not show through on the other side. They also don’t rub off onto the facing page.

When first applied, the highlight does feel a little waxy, but the waxy feeling doesn’t stay. It took me a bit to realize that the pen bottoms twist to push more “crayon” up (like a mechanical pencil).

At first, I didn’t think this was a feature of these pens because the bottoms were pretty resistant to twisting as the pens are slightly made. But I love this feature and I love these pens!

What are the Best Bible Pencils?

As a writer, I love school and office supplies. For full disclosure, I love the smell of freshly sharpened pencils! Most standard color pencils work in your Bible since it takes a lot for the color to seep through.

When I first started undertaking journaling for my Bible studies, I found that the best part was the new Bible journaling supplies. Simply put, I can color code various themes throughout Scripture, such as “love” throughout 1 John.

You can find a fun supply store locally and peruse the aisles. Also, a great way to find the best Bible journaling supplies is to head online. Many stores ship nowadays.

The best colored pencils that I have found so far are Veritas and Arrtx. Be careful when ordering Arrtx to ensure you order pencils and not acrylic markers.

The Benefits of Bible Journaling

At this point, you may be wondering why you should even consider journaling or marking up your Bible. That’s a fair question!

I used to believe that it was sacrilegious to write in a Bible. Some people still do. So regardless of identifying the best pens are for Bible journaling, why is it beneficial?

Over time, God has made it clear through His Word that knowing what the Bible says is paramount. That requires daily and intense study of its contents. And I do that best through copious notes, color-coding, and marking special passages.

If you are new to studying the Bible, here are some helpful tips when it comes to marking your Bible.

1. Identify Themes

It is very helpful to identify themes throughout different books of the Bible. A perfect example is contained in the epistle of 1 John, chapter 5.

When you take the time to mark all of the instances where the word “love” appears, it is clear what that portion of Scripture emphasizes.

Also, since I am not an artist, I chose an ESV Bible from my publisher that contains drawings that are ready to color. This particular verse emphasizes love, once again.

2. Notice Patterns

Throughout the Book of Esther, there is a literary device used called “chiastic structure.”

A chiasm simply means a reversal of fortune. For instance, Esther grew up as an orphaned Jewish girl who became the Queen of Persia. Haman was the evil, prosperous second-in-command to King Ahasuerus who was killed for treason.

By marking each instance of a reversal of fortune, it is clear that the hand of God was upon each circumstance. Even though God’s name is never mentioned in the Book of Esther, He is everywhere!

I wrote an entire Bible study on the Book of Esther called “Chosen” that you may find helpful.

3. Slow Down

I don’t know about you, but life flies by at a lightning pace. When I sit down to read Scripture, I want to retain what I read.

When I take the time to identify and mark overarching themes it brings to mind similar themes throughout Scripture.

When I mark, underline, or highlight patterns in my Bible, it helps me see the consistent, loving hand of God in every story.

Bible journaling and noting significant insights in the margins is one of the best ways of remembering and applying what we read in those holy pages.

4. See How God is Moving

When I read that God enjoyed walking with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the day, it makes sense that Jesus loved walking with His disciples for three years.

God created us for community. When I notice and mark those places in my Bible where God fosters community it shows how He provides others to love with whom we walk life’s roads.

God is a God of rescue. When I see in Exodus how He rescued His people from slavery, then I see in the Gospels how Jesus rescued us from our sin on Calvary, I see a God who loves us more than we can possibly imagine.

Taking time to mark significant events in your Bible brings to mind how God is consistently moving from the beginning of time to the end.

5. Memorize Scripture

God clearly instructs in the Bible that we are to hide His Word in our hearts. That comes down to memorization which takes time.

When I want to commit a particular verse or passage to memory, I first highlight it in my Bible. Then I write in the margin why I am memorizing it.

Then I write that verse or passage on several index cards that I carry around with me.

For instance, I went through a season where I needed to persevere through a certain circumstance. I bought a spiral of index cards and wrote “Perseverance” on the outside with a sharpie. Then I went through the entire Bible marking passages that encouraged me to persevere.

Where is God calling you to memorize from His Word today? Marking your Bible is a great way to get started.

Related Posts:

About the Author
Although Donna is a sought-after Bible teacher and author, her path from being unchurched to becoming passionate about sharing Jesus was not easy. Go here to read her God-breathed journey, “From Unchurched to Becoming a Multi-Published Author and Sought-After Speaker.” If you want to send Donna a quick message, then visit her contact page here.

{Some of these links are affiliate links. This means if you purchase through that link, the ministry may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!}

How Many Chapters and Verses Are There in the Bible?

Posted on February 27, 2024February 27, 2024 by Donna Snow

The Bible is the best-selling, most shared, and spiritually critical source ever created. If you have ever wondered how many chapters and verses there are in each book of the Bible, you have come to the right place.

The Bible is the cornerstone of truth and guidance for millions of Christians around the globe. Here are the counts of chapters and verses in the bible plus some other interesting facts to initiate your journey through the whole Bible.

How Many Books and Chapters in the Old Testament?
How Many Books and Chapters in the New Testament?
Total Number of Books and Chapters in the Bible
The Difference Between the Old and New Testaments
What is the Longest Chapter in the Bible?
How are the Old Testament Books Divided?
Where to Start Reading the Bible

When it comes to learning Scripture, we start at the very beginning. Let’s get a handle on how many books and chapters are in the entire Bible.

How Many Books and Chapters in the Old Testament?

It is important to know that the Bible’s verse numbers and chapter divisions we see in Bibles today did not exist in the original languages. These counts also vary depending on the Bible version you use.

That being said, there are 39 books and 929 chapters in Old Testament. I must confess that I used to skip right over the Old Testament collection of writings in the first Bible I ever owned.

As a new Christian in my early twenties, I was confused about the minor prophets, prophetic books, historical books, and deuterocanonical books of the Old Testament. Consequently, it took me a while to “warm up” to studying the Old Testament. It is EPIC!

From the shortest verse to the longest verse, each chapter in the Bible is a blessing. A Bible reading plan offers an excellent way to ensure you read through each Bible book. Here are several free Bible reading plans to choose from.

How Many Books and Chapters in the New Testament?

The Books of the New Testament total 27. The total number of chapters of the Bible in the New Testament equals 260 chapters.

The Gospels focus on the first-hand account of Jesus and His first disciples. If you are new to the Bible I highly recommend reading John’s Gospel first.

These counts may vary between the New Living Translation, New Century Bible, New International Version Bible, and the New American Standard Bible.

Since the word count differs greatly (especially between the Protestant Bible and the Catholic Bible), it would be best to use your own Bible to figure out the total number of words.

Total Number of Books and Chapters in the Bible

When we add up the New Testament books (Greek words) of 27, plus the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) of 39, there are a total of 66 books in the entire Bible.

When we add up the chapter counts from the Book of Genesis to the Book of Revelation, there are 1,189 total chapters in the entire Bible.

I did not drill down to add up the different number of verses in the Bible. The count differs greatly, especially between the first English Bible and the King James Bible), it would be best to use your own Bible to figure out the total number of verses.

The following table gives the total number of the Bible’s books and chapters by book name. (Download Free)

The Difference Between the Old and New Testaments

The Bible is divided into two distinct parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Books written before the time of Jesus make up the Old Testament.

Books written after Jesus’ ministry on earth comprise the New Testament.

The New Testament contains the four Gospels, which record the words and ministry of Jesus while He walked the earth.

What is the Longest Chapter in the Bible?

Although you likely won’t face a quiz about how many chapters and verses are in the bible, here are some other interesting facts. First, Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in God’s Word.

Conversely, the shortest chapter in the holy Bible is Psalm 117. Many believe that it is either 2 John or 3 John. Even though those Greek New Testament books contain only one chapter, there are several verses. Psalm 117 only contains two verses.

Psalm 117 is also the shortest psalm out of the 150 psalms. Some Hebrew scholars join Psalm 117 with Psalm 118 to make one psalm without verse divisions.

Utilizing the original Hebrew or Greek languages makes a slight difference. However, they do not knock out these two psalms as the longest and shortest.

Which Books Have a Single Chapter?

Several books in the Bible contain only a single chapter.

In the Old Testament, only the book of Obadiah contains a single chapter.

However, in the New Testament, four books contain a single chapter: Philemon, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude.

Also, the book of Haggai in the Old Testament contains only two chapters.

How Are the Books in the Old Testament Divided?

The Old Testament contains four main divisions: (1) Books of Moses (the Law), (2) Historical books, (3) Poetry and Wisdom books, and (4) Major and Minor Prophets.

Aside from the chapters and verses in the bible, lets look at how the Old Testament is divided.

1. The Books of Moses (the Law)

This first section of the Old Testament is sometimes referred to as the Pentateuch. It contains five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Scholars agree that Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible. They contain the Law handed down by God, extensive history, a few speeches, and a few songs.

These Books of Moses contain the account of creation, the fall, the flood, Babel, the patriarchs, the Exodus from Egypt, Mount Sinai, and the 40-year wilderness wandering.

I have written an entire Bible study on the account of Joseph in Genesis called “Meant for Good” that you will find helpful.

2. Historical Books

The books in the Old Testament classified as historical begin where the Books of the Law (Pentateuch) end.

They begin with the conquest of Canaan (the Promised Land). Then they move through the period of the Judges, the united kingdom, the divided kingdom, the Babylonian exile, and the return from exile.

There are twelve historical books, which include: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.

I have written an entire Bible study on the Book of Esther called “Chosen” that you will find helpful.

3. Poetry and Wisdom Books

There are five books in the Old Testament classified as poetry or wisdom books. They include Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.

Three-fifths of all usage of the biblical term “wisdom” occurs most often in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. In a nutshell, wisdom literature teaches us how to live the way God intended.

The two Books of Poetry, Psalms and Song of Solomon, were written in Hebrew poetry rather than narrative. They use parallel words, thoughts, sounds, and forms of grammar to convey a message.

4. The Major and Minor Prophets

The first question to answer is how the Bible classifies a prophet. A prophet is someone who is a spokesman, interpreter, or mediator of God’s will. There are many prophets throughout Scripture, including Moses, who do not appear in this category.

There are seventeen Old Testament books in this category. The delineation between major and minor prophets centers on the length of the book, not the importance of the prophet.

The five books of the Major Prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel.

The twelve books of the Minor Prophets are Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

Where to Start Reading the Bible

It is nice to know chapters and verses in the bible. But if you are new to the Bible, here is a solid list of where to start.

The Gospel of John: This contains the story of Jesus’ life, which is amazing for new believers.
The Book of Romans: This book contains essential Christian doctrine and beliefs.
The Book of Proverbs: These 31 proverbs show how to live a good, God-honoring life.
Ephesians: How to live a holy life.
Psalms: Shows how to praise the Lord and pray authentically.
Philippians: How to have joy during trials.
Ecclesiastes: Godly wisdom for believers.
Genesis: Learn about creation and the beginning.

Studying the Bible and knowing Jesus through His Word is a life-changing, healing adventure. Journaling as you go is a powerful tool. The Holy Spirit in you will guide you. God’s blessings as you dive in!

Related Posts:

About the Author
Although Donna is a sought-after Bible teacher, her path from being unchurched to becoming passionate about sharing Jesus was not easy. Go here to read her God-breathed journey, “From Unchurched to Becoming a Multi-Published Author and Sought-After Speaker.” If you want to send Donna a quick message, then visit here.

{Some of these links are affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through that link, the ministry may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!}

Best Bible Verses to Memorize – Plus Free Download

Posted on February 10, 2024February 10, 2024 by Donna Snow

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.

FREE DOWNLOAD: BEST BIBLE VERSES TO MEMORIZE

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About the Author

Donna Snow is a sought-after speaker, multi-published author, and Bible teacher. Her path from being unchurched to becoming passionate about sharing Jesus was not easy. Read about her God-breathed journey: “From Unchurched to Becoming a Multi-Published Author and Sought-After Speaker.” If you want to send Donna a quick message, then visit her here.

{Some of these links are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through that link, the ministry may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.}

What Happened to Queen Esther in the Bible Story?

Posted on December 11, 2023December 13, 2023 by Donna Snow

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.

Overview
Key Characters
Purpose of the Book of Esther
Major Events in Esther
Timeline of Esther
Esther’s Jewish Roots
How Did Esther’s Story End?

Overview

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.”

2. King Ahasuerus

King Ahasuerus of Persia (also known as King Xerxes) is the the son of Darius the Great and Queen Atossa (daughter of Cyrus the Great).

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.”

Related Posts:

Donna is a sought-after author, speaker, and Bible teacher. Her path from being unchurched to becoming passionate about sharing Jesus was not easy. Read her God-breathed journey: “From Unchurched to Becoming a Multi-Published Author and Sought-After Speaker.” If you want to send Donna a quick message, then visit her here.

{Some of these links are affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through that link, the ministry may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!}

Characteristics and Faith of Abraham in the Bible

Posted on December 7, 2023December 13, 2023 by Donna Snow

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.

Five Facts About Abraham
Main Qualities We Can Learn from the Faith of Abraham
Defining Characteristics of Abraham’s Faith
Leadership Qualities of Abraham
The Story of Abraham from Scripture by Topic

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!

Related Posts:

About the Author
Donna is a sought-after author, speaker, and Bible teacher. Her path from being unchurched to becoming passionate about sharing Jesus was not easy. Read her God-breathed journey: “From Unchurched to Becoming a Multi-Published Author and Sought-After Speaker.” If you want to send Donna a quick message, then visit her here.

{Some of these links are affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through that link, the ministry may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!}

How Many Times is Joy Mentioned in the Bible?

Posted on December 6, 2023August 15, 2024 by Donna Snow

In the New Testament, joy is listed as a fruit of the Spirit. I am a naturally joyful person because I know the Lord is in control of my life. But how many times is joy in the Bible?

True joy is much more than a feeling of great pleasure. Real joy comes from deep within you. Happiness is based on your outward circumstances.

How Many Times Joy Appears in the Bible

Joy appears 165 times in the King James Version (KJV), 218 times in the New International Version (NIV), and 182 times in the New American Standard (NASB).

However, “joy,” “joyful,” or “rejoice” appear 430 times in the English Standard Version (ESV). Compare that to “happy” or “happiness” which only appears ten times. Which would you rather have?

In spite of life’s various trials or any difficult season, the presence of God and His salvation of your souls unlocks our voice of gladness! If you are a faithful reader of Scripture, find a particular passage (or several) that focuses on spiritual joy and memorize it. Only good things can come out of serious Bible study.

What is the Spiritual Meaning of Joy?

Biblical joy stems from the fruit of the Spirit given to you by God. The joy of the Lord provides comfort, contentment, and peace despite difficult circumstances.

You face trials of various kinds along this path of life, but God’s presence brings fullness of joy despite such things. Christ Jesus brought good news of great joy!

What is the Hebrew Meaning of Joy?

The Hebrew word for joy is expressed through many synonyms. The most common translations are “to shine,” “to leap,” “to exult,” and to “rejoice exceedingly.”

In the New Testament, Greek words for joy in the Christian life center around the Gospel. Pure joy is especially conspicuous in the Gospel of Luke.

What is the Biblical Version of Joy?

Earthly happiness is vastly different from God’s everlasting joy. The word “joy” can look like shouts of joy, great delight, a joyful heart, and songs of joy.

Christian joy can also look like the quiet peace of God despite difficult times. Followers of Christ need to be known for an abundance of joy!

We have many loud voices around us that spout joy is an elusive thing. Not so! God’s plan for your life is perfect and His joy is good medicine for life’s bumps.

Joy Verses in the Bible

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, our God of hope gives you and I much joy! The book of Philippians is called the “Book of Joy” despite the trials endured by the Apostle Paul. Joy verses abound!

God’s gift of joy is much more than a “concept of joy.” Temporary happiness is absent in difficult situations. The world says that material good fortune is a matter of joy. But fortunes can be gained and lost. There is no greater joy than knowing the Lord Jesus Christ walks with you and never leaves you.

Here are some of my favorite Bible verses that I keep in my journal from both the Old Testament and New Testament about this fruit of the Holy Spirit. Take joy in scrolling through them.

Peace and Joy

“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” (Romans 15:13).
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:1-5).

Joy in God’s Presence

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you” (Psalm 5:11).
“Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 12:6).
“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence” (Acts 2:28).
“For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence” (Psalm 21:6).
“For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:20).
“Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place” (1 Chronicles 16:27).

Joy and Rejoicing

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).
“Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do” (Ecclesiastes 9:7).
“Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure” (Psalm 16:9).
“Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (Psalm 32:11)
“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness” (Psalm 30:11).
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (Matthew 2:10).

God’s Joy

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 1:4).
“For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation” (Psalm 149:4).

Deliverance Joy

“And in every province and in every city, wherever the king’s command and his edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many from the people of the land declared themselves Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen on them” (Esther 8:17).
“And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away” (Nehemiah 12:43).
“And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel” (Ezra 6:22).
“So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing” (Psalm 105:43).

God’s People are Joyous

“Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete” (2 John 1:12).
“For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you” (Philemon 1:7).
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (Philippians 2:1-2).
“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part” (2 Corinthians 8:1-2).
“How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? How we thank God for you!” (1 Thessalonians 3:9).

Joy During Trials

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12).
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2-3).
“So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” (John 16:22).
“For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5).
“And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10b).
“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” (Psalm 126:5)
“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” (John 16:33).

Serving the Lord with Joy

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21).
“And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:52).
“Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith” (2 Corinthians 1:24).

Joy Despite Affliction

“I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy” (2 Corinthians 7:4).
“And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:6).
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).
“As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything” (2 Corinthians 6:10).
“Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice” (Psalm 51:8).

Following God’s Commands with Joy

“The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psalm 19:8).
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16).

Joy in Suffering

“But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:13).
“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” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
“You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7).

Joy of Salvation

“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8).
“My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed” (Psalm 71:23).
“Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7).
“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit” (Psalm 51:12).
“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; the children of Israel shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:10).
“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3).

Worship with Joy

“I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High” (Psalm 9:2).
“And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy” (Luke 24:52).

Will of God Brings Joy

“Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart” (Psalm 119:111).
“So that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company” (Romans 15:32).
“Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24).

Joy in the Lord

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).
“And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:47).
“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad” (Psalm 126:2-3).
“May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” (Psalm 70:4).

God’s Strength Gives Joy

“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).
“This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10).

Joy as a Gift

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).
“Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart” (Psalm 97:11).
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10).

God faithfully provides you with joy from the inside out. I pray that you live in His joy today.

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Best Christian Prayer Room Ideas to Strengthen Faith

Posted on November 20, 2023December 13, 2023 by Donna Snow

You can pray anywhere and everywhere. However, the day that I created a dedicated prayer space, God turbo-boosted my faith walk.

As I began logging my prayers, I was able to look back to remember exactly what I prayed about. I could ponder how God had moved in those situations and easily see His fingerprints.

One of the best ways to take your prayer life to the next level is to create a dedicated space for serious prayer time. A stress-free zone. A prayer war room. Spiritual battles rage, so you need a prayer battle plan.

What is a Christian Prayer Room?

In today’s very busy world, a designated prayer space simply makes sense. Some days it is hard enough to focus on one thing at a time in your normal environment.

You can easily be distracted by your “to do” lists, phones, work, chores, and many other necessities of today’s world. But Jesus calls you to look past this world and to set your gaze upon Him in Scripture.

Colossians 3:2 calls you to “set our minds on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” A prayer room is designated solely to pray and spend focused time with the Lord. Designating a prayer room or space is beneficial to a healthy Christian’s prayer life.

Where to Begin

A great place to begin is to determine why you want a prayer room in your own home. Will it be to simply appear spiritual? That shallow reason is why I created a prayer corner years ago. Needless to say, it did not get much use.

But a lot of life has happened. I have been bruised, hurt, and broken by this world. I bet you have, too. We need a serious place to spend extended time with the Lord. My prayer space is the specific place where I spend intentional time with my heavenly Father.

So the first thing you need to decide is why you want a prayer room. I can tell you first hand, God has done some serious work in my life and through my life because of time spent in dedicated prayer.

Finding a Small Room

I currently have a prayer corner in my study. I get distracted easily so choosing a small room or space is a great way to shut out distractions.

If your children have left home, that spare room could be the perfect place for years of prayer. Do you have a walk-in closet that only stores junk? Think creatively and purposefully!

I find that small prayer rooms or spaces are the best. That private space becomes a sacred space to deepen your personal relationship with Jesus without distraction. As you cover yourself, your whole family, and your loved ones with prayer, it will truly become the heart of your home.

Jesus said: “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:5-6).

What Goes in a Prayer Room?

Once your specific area is selected, there are a few key items that need to be included in your prayer room.

First and foremost, you need a Bible. Since there are times when we literally pray God’s Word back to Him, a Bible is essential. There are many excellent Bibles available.

Second, keep track of your prayers. There are many different ways, including prayer cards, a prayer board, a prayer book, a bulletin board, or simply a prayer journal. Reading back over your prayers clearly shows how God is moving. Talk about a faith booster!

Finally, Christian symbols and reminders of Christ are essential. These include crosses, your handwritten Bible verses, or even your favorite Christian art or a biblical scene. I have pictures of my Holy Land trips plastered all around. Looking at the olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane as I pray is particularly meaningful.

garden of gethsemane — Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane

Personalizing Your Prayer Room

Now that your Bible and ways to record your prayers have been chosen, it’s time to focus on personalizing your quiet place of prayer. Whether your prayer space is an entire room or simply a special spot, there are beautiful ways to personalize it.

Design

Your prayer room should fit your life. If you love school supplies and organizational tools, surround yourself with Bible study materials, colored pens, journals, and fun pencil holders.

If you are more artistic, think of painting wall art or filling the space with worship music. Your prayer space does not have to be elaborate, just to reflect you. God simply longs for us to spend time with Him in prayer.

Furniture

This will vary greatly depending on the size of your prayer room. Again, let it fit your personal style. You may have room for a comfortable couch or recliner with cozy throws. A writing table and chair may even fit.

For a smaller space, perhaps a large floor cushion or a comfortable chair with a lap desk fits perfectly. You could even find a padded kneeling bench. It is up to you, your budget, and the amount of available space.

Lighting

If your eyesight requires plenty of light, outfit your space accordingly. Hanging lights, table lamps, floor lamps, and ambient light all work well according to how much light you need.

Some people say that they need bright light in order to stay awake. Colossians 4:2 tells us: “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.“

Personally, I love natural light or a soft lamp with a candle burning brightly close by. The key is creating a calm place to pray to remove the speed and anxiety of the world.

Colors

God created an endless palette of colors to choose from, so choose what you love! Color is an excellent way to transform an empty room into your personalized space.

I love muted cottage colors, so there are a lot of blues, creams, and beige colors in my prayer space. Soft and inviting. If you love bright colors, go crazy! Simply put, make it a space where you long to spend serious time.

Spending Time in Your Prayer Room

The ultimate goal of your prayer room is for the purpose of prayer. This is where you intentionally and diligently meet with the Lord to tackle life on every level. And there are a few other necessities for this space, as well.

Prayer

If you are new to prayer it can be daunting. Been there done that as a new Christian in my early 20s.

I wrote two helpful resources about prayer that I hope you will find beneficial along your prayer journey:

7 Essential Elements of Prayer (plus free download)
Powerful Prayer for God’s Protection from Psalm 91

Prayer truly ushers you into God’s presence. You may begin your prayer time with anxiety and angst, but His inner peace will fill you up as His love and grace replace all else.

Scripture

Reading and meditating on Scripture on a daily basis is food for the soul. Knowing God in His Word informs every aspect of a Christian’s life. Losing track of time during quiet reflection of His Word is always time well spent.

Reading God’s Word reminds you of His promises, His love, and all He has called you to do in His name. Knowing Scripture strengthens your prayer walk as you come to know the biblical stories of salvation and spreading the Good News. God’s Word is His love letter to you.

Worship

Adoration of God is how you start your prayers. Worship music, ranging from traditional hymns to contemporary, helps you fix our eyes on Jesus.

As you hear the melodies and sing those words to God, He reminds you of His goodness, faithfulness, and holiness. If you are not wired as a music person, spend time worshiping God by praying His psalms of praise back to Him.

Bottom Line

Spending intentional time with the Lord is the whole purpose of a prayer room or prayer space. Over time, you will be amazed as you track your prayers and see how God chooses to answer them.

I pray that your prayer room, however large or small, is a space where Jesus becomes the central focus of your life. Your prayer requests never fall on deaf ears. God is for you!

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What is Light? Biblical and Spiritual Characteristics

Posted on November 16, 2023December 13, 2023 by Donna Snow

That meaning and characteristics of light are significant in the context of biblical history and theology. Scripture is clear that the power of God’s light expels darkness and all powers of evil. No darkness is equal to His great light.

I am an avid gardener, so light is vital. But what are the biblical and spiritual characteristics of light?

Creation of Light
Characteristics of Light
Natural Light
The Light of Christ
Light of Salvation

In the simplest terms, light results in removing darkness. Spiritually, light represents the contrast between God and evil forces, believers and unbelievers.

In the biblical context, every phase of light, from natural light in the natural world to the spiritual glory of the celestial, is found in Scripture. God “alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see” (1 Timothy 6:16).

Creation of Light

After God created the heavens and the earth, His Spirit hovered over the darkness (Genesis 1:1-2). Afterward, the first thing that God did was to illuminate the heavens and the earth.

“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day (Genesis 1:3-5).

This first illumination of the heavens and earth did not come from the sun. Natural light comes later in Genesis 1:14-18, which you can explore below. Scripture does not tell you where this original light came from, other than God.

Plants were created on Day 3, but the sun does not show up until the 4th day of creation. How can plants exist and flourish without sunlight? Yet we have “light” on Day 1.

Perhaps one of the reasons God waited until Day 4 to create the sun was to demonstrate that He alone creates light. He alone is light and life. The sun is just one of many instruments in His hands.

You and I worship the Creator, not what He created. In the Old Testament, God warned the Israelites not to worship the sun like the pagans (Deuteronomy 4:19). As God’s children, we do not worship the sun but God who made the sun.

Characteristics of Light

According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, light is “the symbol and synonym of all that is luminous and radiant in the mental, moral and spiritual life of men and angels.” That is a fancy way of stating that light matters in every realm of life.

Light is represented in many ways, and thus its characteristics to illuminate dark places vary greatly.

Natural light can be observed through the sun, moon, stars, and solar systems.
Artificial light can be represented by ancient oil lamps, candles, fire, and modern electricity.
Miraculous light is seen through Moses’ burning bush (Exodus 3) and the pillar of fire by day that protected the Israelites after they left Egypt (Exodus 13:17-22), among others.

Light and life go together in the bible as the product of salvation (you will see that more below). For the most part, light is an attribute of holiness that shines forth the glory of God.

Natural Light

The sun first appears in Genesis with these well-known familiar words:

“And God said, ‘Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.’ And it was so. And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth,to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:14-18).

All of nature’s bright lights (sun, moon, and stars) appear here in Genesis and elsewhere in Scripture:

“Yours is the day, yours also the night; you have established the heavenly lights and the sun” (Psalm 74:16).
“To Him who made the great lights, for His steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 136:7).
“…before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain” (Ecclesiastes 12:2).
“And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:5).

How does natural light affect us?

The characteristics of natural light in your daily walk are beauty, radiance, and life-giving. For instance:

“The light of the eyes rejoices the heart” (Proverbs 15:30).
“Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun” (Ecclesiastes 11:7).
“If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him” (John 11:9-10).

Life, joy, activity, and every blessing are dependent upon light. If you live in parts of the world where gloomy, dark weather descends during the winter, you truly understand the life-giving, joy-inducing effects of the sun.

Light is Good

The Hebrew word that portrays light is evocative. God’s initial creative process begins in Genesis where the eternal God spoke (Genesis 1:2) and light appeared without hesitation.

Before the beginning of time, light was the initial step of God’s creative spirit. Spiritually, physically, and mentally, all men stumble in the absence of light.

Light is not in and of itself divine. However, it is used metaphorically for life (Psalm 56:13), salvation (Isaiah 9:2), God’s commandments (Proverbs 6:23), and the divine presence of God (Exodus 10:23).

Without light, darkness and chaos run rampant over all the earth. The term for darkness is used for the wicked (Proverb 2:13), as judgment (Exodus 10:21), and death (Psalm 88:12).

Darkness evokes all that is anti-God. Moral man loses the right path when a plague of darkness shrouds him from God’s healing light. Light is good because:

God is the Father of light who dispels darkness: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17).
God is light: “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).

The Light of Christ

The Apostle John wrote down in the New Testament these very words of Jesus:

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12)
“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5).

Light is the revelation of God’s love in Jesus Christ. Christ’s love and light penetrate every life darkened by sin. That’s all of us.

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:5-7).

Jesus is the incarnate Word of God, who has come as the light for all people (John 1:4-14). The light of Christ residing in us through the power of the Holy Spirit enables you to shine His true light into the darkest circumstances.

God is Light

Since light represents goodness in opposition to the evil associated with darkness, it is a natural step for the biblical authors to understand God, the ultimate good, as light.

Your spiritual light and life can only come from God: “For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light do we see light” (Psalm 36:9).

Light symbolizes our holy God’s loving presence, comforting protection, and incredible favor:

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone” (Isaiah 9:2).
“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Psalm 27:1 does not mince words: “Yahweh (Adonai) is my light and my salvation.” God’s presence is your source of light despite any darkness around you.

Light of Salvation

Why is Christ referred to as the light of the world? He answers that question directly: “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness” (John 12:46).

As a young adult, I experienced life without the light of Christ. I will never forget the hopelessness and darkness of life without His love and light. (See my story here.)

When I received God’s gift of faith and believed that Christ died for me, it was an incomparable JOY!

His Light Penetrates Darkness

God’s perfect love and light can penetrate and redeem even the darkest heart. Christ’s life and light shine forth the good news of eternal life for all who believe in Him.

Everyone who responds by faith to God’s light is ushered into a life in which darkness is dispelled. Specifically, salvation brings light to those in darkness:

“The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned” (Matthew 4:16).
“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5).
“You will succeed in whatever you choose to do, and light will shine on the road ahead of you” (Job 22:28).

We are Sons and Daughters of Light

When you believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is our Savior, you are grafted into His eternal family by faith:

“While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light” (John 12:36).
“For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)” (Ephesians 5:8-9).
“For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or the darkness” (1 Thessalonians 5:5).

Living as Children of Light

So, how are His children supposed to live with His light in us? How does living as a child of God look different from the rest of the world?

Paul intentionally contrasts the old life in darkness with new life in the light in Christ Jesus:

“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God…You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:17-18, 23-24).

What does that life look like?

Simply put, a believer’s words, thoughts, and actions are characterized by light:

“But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God” (John 3:21).
“For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).
“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:12-14).
“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 2:9).

Many bible verses in God’s Word refer to good deeds and good works as telltale marks of the children of God. People see the goodness of the Lord through the spiritual life of men and women.

You stand out, not blend in

As a child of the light, your old life stands in stark contrast with the new. As you rely on His strength each day, His light exposes and expels darkness.

The revealed will of God provides light to a believer’s heart, soul, and mind which results in holy guidance in a dark world (Psalm 19:7-10; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:130).

Armor of Light

Satan can disguise himself as an “angel of light”. Do not be fooled. Satan does not have the light of God. The devil’s goal is your complete and utter destruction.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm” (Ephesians 6:12-13).

However, God has given you His armor as the ultimate defense against Satan’s attacks: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

Pieces of God’s Armor

I wrote an entire eight-week Bible study on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20) because the thought of an invisible enemy attacking me 24/7 used to be flat-out scary. Here is what God has given you:

Belt of truth
Breastplate of righteousness
Shoes of the Gospel of peace
Shield of faith (to extinguish the enemy’s fiery darts)
Helmet of salvation
Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God)

God’s armor is not meant to hang useless in your spiritual closet. The enemy is powerful, so you wear God’s armor because you are God’s soldier. His divine light and protection covers you from head to toe.

God is light, who dispels the darkness of this world. Jesus came as the light of the world, breaking through the darkness of sin by His work on the cross.

The first word of God is about light. The love of God is a shining light into a dark world. And a child of the light, you have the privilege of carrying His divine torch.

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Contents

How Many Times Did Jesus Weep?

1. Jesus Weeps at the Death of Lazarus

Jesus Arrives in Bethany

The Purpose of Jesus’ Delay

Lazarus Raised From the Dead

2. Jesus Wept Over Jerusalem

Did Jesus Weep in the Garden of Gethsemane?

A. Jesus in the Garden

B. What Jesus Accomplished in the Garden

Does Jesus Weep With Us?

Why Should We Weep Over Our Sin?

Contents

What is a Rainbow?

What Does the Bible Say About Rainbows?

1. When the First Rainbow Appeared in the Bible

2. Rainbows are God’s Holy Reminder

3. Spiritual Significance of Rainbows

When Does a Double Rainbow Occur?

Does the Bible Mention Double Rainbows?

Cultural Beliefs About Double Rainbows

1. Native American Cultures

2. Mythology About Rainbows

Bottom Line

Contents

Quick History of Bible Journaling

What Pen is Best for Writing in the Bible?

What Pen is Best for Bible Underlining?

Will Gel Pens Bleed Through Bible Pages?

What is the Best NIB size?

What Highlighters Will Not Bleed Through Bible Pages?

What are the Best Bible Pencils?

The Benefits of Bible Journaling

1. Identify Themes

2. Notice Patterns

3. Slow Down

4. See How God is Moving

5. Memorize Scripture

Table of Contents

How Many Books and Chapters in the Old Testament?

How Many Books and Chapters in the New Testament?

Total Number of Books and Chapters in the Bible

The Difference Between the Old and New Testaments

What is the Longest Chapter in the Bible?

Which Books Have a Single Chapter?

How Are the Books in the Old Testament Divided?

1. The Books of Moses (the Law)

2. Historical Books

3. Poetry and Wisdom Books

4. The Major and Minor Prophets

Where to Start Reading the Bible

Why is it Important to Memorize Scripture?

Bible Verses About God

Bible Verses About Obeying God

Bible Verses For Strength

Bible Verses About Peace

Bible Verses About How to Live

Bible Verses About Forgiveness

Bible Verses About God’s Word

Bible Verses About Faith

Bible Verses About Life in Christ

Bible Verses About Hope

Bible Verses for the Weary

​Bible Verses About Sin

Bible Verses About Unity

Bible Verses About Our Purpose

Bible Verses About Sharing the Gospel

Bible Verses About Salvation

Bible Verses About God’s Love

Bible Verses About Loving Others

Bible Verses About God’s Faithfulness

Bible Verses About the Holy Spirit

Bible Verses About Temptation

Bible Verses About Confession

Bible Verses About Tests of Faith

Bible Verses About Contentment

Bible Verses About Trusting the Lord

Bible Verses for Overcoming Fear

Bible Verses for Praising God

Bible Verses About Grace

Bible Verses About Sin