Series:  Questions I am Asked:  What is your favorite Bible verse?

I love the Bible.  I just finished teaching on John 12 (about Jesus’ Triumphant entry into Jerusalem).  God’s Word is so deep!  I enjoy studying and learning.  God has used the Bible to help, comfort, encourage, convict, and change me!  I can think back to times of great hurt and how God used the Bible to bring comfort I could not find elsewhere!  I can think back of times of uncertainty where the Scriptures encouraged me.  There are times where I am convicted about my own thoughts and actions in my daily Bible reading.  I am amazed at God’s Word!

I have been asked what my favorite Bible verse is by a few people.  The truth is I don’t have a favorite. It really depends on what is going on in my life.  John 3:30 is a great goal verse.  1 Corinthians 10:12-13 are great verses to remember in temptation.  John 16:33 brings great comfort in times of trouble.  Matthew 28:18-20 (the Great Commission) remind us of our obligation to the world.  I could go on and on with different verses in different circumstances.

One of the verses that God has used in my life recently is 2 Chronicles 16:9.  “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him…”  The context deals with King Asa who had acted foolishly in relying on the King of Syria instead of on the Lord God!  The prophet explains Asa’s error to him and goes on to tell him that God is looking throughout the whole earth for someone whose heart is “perfect” toward him.  That word “perfect” does not mean “without flaw or sin”.  The Hebrew word is used 27 times in the Old Testament and means “intact, complete, whole or undivided”.  God is looking for those whose hearts are completely undivided toward Him so that He can show Himself strong in that believer’s life!

I am so encouraged and challenged by this.  My God looks for someone to show Himself strong in.  The only criteria is a heart completely toward God.  It is not talent, pedigree, or intelligence.  It is an undivided heart, wholly given to God!  I can say that, at least for today, 2 Chronicles 16:9 is one of my favorite verses in the Bible!