Comfort from the Bible
By Pastor Paula Lund Burchill
A few weeks ago, I presided at a graveside service and we read those amazing and timeless words from the 23rd Psalm. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. These words from the bible are read at most if not all memorial services and for good reason—they remind us that we are never alone. Even in the deepest darkest valleys, God comforts us and we need not fear.
This got me thinking of what a great discipline, or faith practice it is to memorize some bible verses. It is kind of amazing how they come to you just when you need them.
One of my favorite times was on my wedding video, which of course I only saw after we were married. My mom was on the camera, and my sister had been filming some footage of us getting ready for the service. My mom came on the camera and said, the wedding is in an hour and half and my hair still isn’t done, and I’m totally stressed, BUT—and then she took a deep breath, smiled and quoted Psalm 118. She said, but this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!
I still chuckle and am moved by how she could move from stress to reminding herself that God was in control so she could rejoice.
Pastor Jonathan recently brought a bible to my son to take when he goes off to college this fall, with Philippians 4:13 highlighted—another verse I have always loved: I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. I was so grateful he had highlighted that verse for my son, and I hope he has memorized it to remind him that he can get through anything with Jesus by his side as he heads into the world.
Create in me a clean heart, O God. These words from Psalm 51 have been my confession and prayer countless times.
Romans 8 – the Spirit intercedes for us for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. I love reminding myself of those words when I’m stuck and don’t even know what to ask God for in my prayers. It reminds me that the Spirit is always praying on my behalf.
I had a seminary professor who loved Psalm 139. In that psalm, we are told that God knit us together in our mother’s womb. My professor, who was wearing a sweater said, look at this. Can you see how complicated this Norwegian sweater was to knit? Then he said, “just think how much harder it would be to knit a Norwegian!”
I got such a kick out of that, but I love remembering those words of Psalm 139 when I need to remember that God made me because I’m feeling bad about who I am.
The beautiful words from the end of Romans 8 give me chills: 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 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.
Oh what comfort to put those words in your heart.
The bible does many things. It can convict us. It can teach us. It points us to Jesus and our salvation. But today, I just want to remember how much it comforts us. And to encourage you to put a verse or two or ten to memory. Sometimes I just google—favorite bible verses—to find some.
And then remember those words from Matthew 28—Jesus is with you ALWAYS—to the end of the age.
