One result is that I have gone through times of deep despondency. The medication I am on to prevent seizures has made me more easily tired and sometimes less able to sit still for long periods of time. So, Pastor Greg and Errol, if you see that I'm unusually fidgety in church or Sunday school class, just know it isn't you. It's me.
This last weekend I found myself really struggling with these new health issues, once on Sunday morning before church and then again today (Monday the 23rd). Both Sunday and Monday when I realized I was struggling, I went back to my anchor that is God's Word. I decided I needed to write these verses, and to tell the truth I never get tired of writing them, even though it takes quite a little time.
With this blog I want to share these verses with my readers, even though I've shared some of them already. My list has really grown. It's also very good for me as well. You see, every time I read and write these verses, they cause the wrinkles in my brain to deepen, and don't we all want wrinkly brains? I know I do. The deeper these Bible wrinkles in my brain get, the more secure my anchor holds me on Jesus, my Rock. The more secure my anchor is on the Rock, the more secure I am in my life even during the storms.
So in these next lines, I'm going to write the Bible verses that have been holding me to the Lord. My prayer is that the Lord will guide those who are going through storms to this blog and be encouraged. Perhaps those people who find this in their storms will be able to anchor to the Solid Rock who is Jesus, the only Solid Rock:
"The people who know their God will be strong and carry out great exploits." Daniel 11:32b
"The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenants and obey his demands." Psalm 25:10
"Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened. For those who ask receive; those who seek, find; and to those who knock, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8
"Thus far the Lord has helped." 2 Samuel 7:10
"What He opens no one can shut and what He shuts no one can open." Revelation 3:7
"Your hand will guide me. Your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:10b
"My heart has heard you say, 'Come talk with Me,' and my heart responds, 'Lord, I am coming.'" Psalm 27:8
"The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven's Armies will make this happen." Isaiah 9:7
"I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory." Psalm 118:24
"You will be rewarded for this. Your hope will not be disappointed." Proverbs 23:18
"Now all glory to God, who is able through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20
"That is what the Scriptures mean when they say no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9
"And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled." Romans 15:2b
"Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord." Psalm 27:14
"For since the world began no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like You who works for those who wait on Him." Isaiah 64:4
"Do not be afraid for I am with you. Do not be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and I will help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10
"Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore I have set my face like a stone determined to do his will and I know I will not be put to shame." Isaiah 50:7
"How joyful are those who fear the Lord…. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly." Psalm 112:7-8
"So be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid and do not panic before them, for the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6
"But I am like an olive tree thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God's unfailing love. I will praise you forever O God for what you have done. I will trust in your great name in the presence of your faithful people." Psalm 52:8-9
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
"For you are my Lamp, O Lord; the Lord shall enlighten my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop; by my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust Him." 2 Samuel 22:29-31 and again in Psalm 18:28-30
Even though each of these verses were given in the ancient past, I believe the Lord preserved them for us so that we can gain strength from them and be encouraged to hold onto our God when these difficult times come.
Rich Mullins performed a Scottish folk song, Ready for the Storm, that has been running in my mind ever since that first day I began to believe the Lord was giving me a vision for Ebenezer Productions. When this song comes to mind, I have used it as a prayer to my Father in heaven. Today this song seems more relevant than ever.
Anchor yourself on Jesus the Solid Rock. He's the only one that will see you through any storm you are facing. He is the Word made flesh. Once you have anchored on Jesus, go to the Word, the Bible, and begin strengthen your anchor by finding verses the Lord gives you so you can face the storms as well.