Compiled by C.J. Darlington
We asked 10 Christian authors: “What’s your favorite Scripture of all time and why?”
PATRICIA BRADLEY
Psalm 37:4 and 7 is my favorite Scripture of all time. “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” When we delight ourselves in the Lord, He puts His desires in us. So how can we not receive the desires of our heart? But sometimes, we want those desires met immediately and verse 7 tells us: “Wait patiently for the Lord to act…” It’s always in His timing not ours.
MOLLY NOBLE BULL
As a pro-life Christian, my favorite scriptures are found in the Book of Proverbs. “Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless. Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31: 8-9. (Good News Bible)
BRYAN DAVIS
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” (Philippians 3:10) Suffering is inevitable, and this verse provides solace. It reminds me that suffering draws me into closer fellowship with Christ. When I feel the pangs of grief, persecution, or any other torment, I understand Christ’s suffering just a little more, and I know Him better as a result. The verse also reminds me that suffering is for but a season, and resurrection power is in the offing. Any time I experience deliverance from suffering, it’s like a resurrection, again helping me know Him better, and every resurrection here on earth is like a glimpse into glory.
CHRIS FABRY
Phil 1:6: “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” This verse has become more comforting through the years. God is the master storyteller. He is the one who is not only in control but drawing me to himself and changing me to make me more like Jesus. He is providing conflict and refining and encouragement. He is ultimately weaving everything together for his glory and my job is to cooperate with him and praise him.
LAURA FRANTZ
My favorite verse of all time is tricky since the verses I call favorites vary with the season of life I’m in. Recently I stenciled Proverbs 31:25 on a wall in our home: “She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future.” The commentary on this verse makes my heart sing – ‘Her heart is full of another world, even when her hands are most busy about this world.’ (Matthew Henry) And I especially like that a woman of God doesn’t fear the future – she can even laugh at it. What a mighty, trustworthy God we serve. The God of ultimate happy endings!
LESLIE GOULD
Thirty-six years ago after my first semester of college, I was on my way home when my car broke down. Thankfully, I had relatives nearby and an uncle who could fix my car—but that wasn’t all that needed fixing. I was feeling lost and unsure and filled with worry about my future. In the middle of the night, I randomly opened my Bible and landed on Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’” The words brought me comfort—and became my theme through my college years. Since then I’ve heard warnings not to take the verse out of context, but I believe God gave it to me in perfect context that night, so many years ago. And I’ve held onto it ever since.
JOCELYN GREEN
My favorite Scripture is Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” It’s exactly the reminder I need to keep my thoughts captive to Christ and meditate on God’s Word, which will strengthen my trust in Him. The promise of perfect peace in this verse was something I clung to as a military wife, but it’s relevant for every day, and for everyone.
SHARON HINCK
2 Corinthians 4:7 is one of my favorite verses, and I love the NLT translation: “We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” The verse reminds me to focus on the treasure of who God is, rather than focusing on the weak and humble vessel of my life. It also reassures me that He can bring blessings to others as I make myself available. I’d rather serve in strength, but if He calls me to serve in weakness, that only helps me rely more fully on Him.
BILL MYERS
“Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks.” It has adjusted my sights to see everything through God’s lens and not through limited circumstances. It reminds me that He is sovereign and will always do what’s best… whether I understand it or not. As a result, over the years, I’ve trained myself to see trials never as a difficulties but always as opportunities.
BECKY WADE
“…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8. I love this faith-building verse! I frequently pray it over my writing and my family life. When I ask the Holy Spirit to work in power through me, I’m reminded where true power originates. When I ask the Lord to enable me to be His witness, I’m refocused on my most important purpose—that of witness for Him.