(…continued) The Bible is filled with hundreds of wonderful verses. Most Emailmeditations include three. In addition to that, I have posted on my website a daily schedule for the reading of many of the very best verses. There are at least three for each day of the year– over 1200 in all. These are my favorites. Not everyone would have the same list of favorite verses, but I am sure many of these verses would be on everyone’s list. Each one is a little snippet of truth to comfort, encourage, guide, or inspire you; and sometimes to teach, challenge, or admonish you. Like many people, I have always been in the habit of marking important passages as I read the Bible. Several years ago, I went from cover to cover through my Bible, writing down all these significant verses, and, adding more as I read. From that list, I assembled this schedule, offered it to my congregation, and started using it myself. I still use it every day. This year-long schedule of verses may be found by clicking on HERE: BEST BIBLE VERSES.
The first verse will always be from the Old Testament, the second always from the New Testament, and the third from one or the other. There is usually just one verse at a time to read, but sometimes there are two, three, or even more verses listed together, in order to include the entire thought. The three daily verses are not necessarily on the same theme. If this looks like something that you might find helpful, print out the entire schedule and keep it by your Bible. This schedule could be used in addition to, or instead of, the daily EmailMeditations.
Some of the verses will be familiar; some, no doubt, will be surprising and perhaps even troubling. But all were selected as a concise self-contained nugget for thought. Not all the verses included here are ‘feel good’ verses. We get enough of that sort of thing these days, and what we need is the whole truth of God’s Word. There is much here that you may not like, but it is all from God’s Word. Of course, all verses must always be read in the context of other verses and God’s entire Word, but that doesn’t mean they can be ignored or dismissed. Think about the context, think about the theology and background you bring to the verse, and then think and pray about what God may want to say to you in that verse, be it comforting or unpleasant.
If there is a verse that you do not like, what will you do then? Will you set yourself up as judge over God’s eternal Word? Or, will you humbly submit to God, perhaps allowing his other words to teach you a fuller understanding; but also keeping in mind that God’s Word may indeed, at times, be troubling. As Tim Keller once said:
To stay away from Christianity because part of the Bible’s teaching is offensive to you assumes that if there is a God, he wouldn’t have any views that upset you. Does that belief make sense?
The EmailMeditations and the daily schedule of verses are two easy and convenient ways to read the Bible. There are many other ways to engage in such a reading. Best of all would be to read the whole Bible in the context of a class at your church where its background and context can be taught, and where what is read can be discussed, and where questions can be asked. However, not everyone has that opportunity. And, there are probably better lists of verses than those on this website. But any way of reading the Bible is better than not reading it at all.
If nothing else, this schedule of just three verses a day provides a simple way to begin, especially for someone whose schedule is already full. Reading time for all three will be less than a minute. Adding the time needed to find the verses, and, to give each verse a few moments of prayer and meditation, one could still finish in less than five minutes. Anyone who believes in Jesus, should be able to spare five minutes a day for God’s Word. The EmailMeditations can usually be read in 10-15 minutes.
Once a daily habit is established, however brief, a wedge has been driven into your busy schedule. That wedge can perhaps be driven deeper and more time can be added; and then, more can be done with these verses. As time allows, read each verse slowly and out loud, thinking about each word and phrase, allowing it to lead you in prayers of confession, request, praise, and/or thanksgiving. You may want to write down a verse and put it in your pocket for meditation and prayer through the day when waiting, riding, or on a break. One could take the time to memorize favorite verses, or to list in your Bible favorites for later reference. If you are not reading the Bible at all right now, use this easy way to begin. The Holy Spirit will be with you, guide you, and bless this time you spend in God’s Word.
Most Christians do have a curiosity about the Bible and the feeling that they should know more about it. But the Bible is a difficult book to read from cover to cover. Many people have made such an attempt, and soon became discouraged and quit. These few words each day will get you into the Bible, and there is a great blessing to be had in meditating each day on even one verse of God’s Word. To have three verses of God’s Word to think about, to pray over, and to take with you for the day will become a great blessing in your life, and you will become ever more familiar with the great message of the Bible.
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Deuteronomy 32:45-47 — When Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel, he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
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O Lord God, Heavenly Father, we beseech thee so to guide us by thy Holy Spirit, that we hear and receive thy Holy Word with our whole heart, in order that through thy Word we may learn to place all our trust and hope in Jesus; and following him, be led safely through all evil, until by thy grace, we come to everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
—United Lutheran Church Hymnal, 1917
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