My neighbor, Betty, gave me an extraordinary gift this year
at Christmas. We’ve all seen those little promise boxes, which hold verses of
scripture. I first saw one in sixth grade when my teacher, Miss Vera Bagwell
sent her box down the aisles of my classroom, and we all took turns reading a
verse aloud. Yes, it was a public school, but a few decades ago.
Anyway, Betty gave me a promise box with a bit of a twist--the
verses have my name inserted in each one. As I was getting my big book project
off the ground, it seemed every card I pulled out of the box seemed to speak
directly to me that day. They began to spill out across the windowsill in my
kitchen.
“God is able to make all grace abound to you, Beverly, so
that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in
every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
“Do not be anxious about anything, Beverly, but in
everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to
God.” (Philippians 4:6).
“Do not become weary in doing good, Beverly, for at the
proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
“You can do all things, Beverly, through Christ who
strengthens you” (Philippians 4:13).
“Humble yourself, Beverly, therefore, under God’s almighty
hand, that He may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6).
The concept of personalized verses was not foreign to me. I’d
written verses out over the years with my name or others inserted, but with Betty's gift, I never know what I’m going to pull
out of that box in the morning, and so often, the verse that day feels like it was written
especially for me.
That’s because it was, and it was written especially for
you, too.
The Apostle John wrote, “These
are written down so you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God,
and in the act of believing, have real and eternal life in the way he
personally revealed it” (John 20:30-31 The Message).
Paul also writes, “There’s nothing like the written Word of
God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every
part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us
truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live
God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God
has for us” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 The Message).
God wants us to have a life that is not artificial and temporary, but "real and eternal," the kind only He offers, and He has written the way down for us. As Peterson
translates, how amazing that through his Word, God sculpts us for all He has for us. So, when you’re floundering, pick up the
Bible and know God is speaking directly to you.
I’ll run the verses above by you again, and
this time, you insert your name.
“God is able to make all grace abound to you, ________, so
that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in
every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
“Do not be anxious about anything, _______, but in
everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to
God.” (Philippians 4:6).
“Do not become weary in doing good, _______, for at the
proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
“You can do all things, ______, through Christ who
strengthens you” (Philippians 4:13).
“Humble yourself, _______, therefore, under God’s almighty
hand, that He may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6).
Be blessed, friends.