My Favorite Bible Verse

I was travelling on September 11 this year, and pretty much went straight from the airport into conference sessions, so it took me a while to catch up on the day’s memorial events.

I had the news on the next morning, and was stopped in my tracks when I heard President Obama speaking at the memorial service at the World Trade Center in New York.

(It comes at about minute 10 of this clip.)

He was saying the words of the Bible verse that was “my favorite Bible verse” as a child, Psalm 46. I even had an article published in a national church periodical when I was in elementary school, explaining why it was my favorite. (I tried to find a copy of that article and am still hunting for it–I know I have a copy and have seen it somewhat recently.)

I grew up with the King James version of the Bible:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

I remember praying the verse as a child whenever I felt lost, alone, or afraid–hiking in the woods at camp or riding in an ambulance after a car accident. It still comes to me in moments of worry. The words help me remember that God is present, that I can rely on His strength, and that I can take refuge in His care.

It was interesting to hear President Obama read more of the Psalm, because I only know the first verse by heart:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. 
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. 
Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

In preparing this post, I noticed this verse at the end:

Be still, and know that I am God

That is another favorite prayer that I rely on to quiet my mind when it is swirling with anxiety.

It was very stirring to hear President Obama read “my” Bible verse, and it was very moving to hear it invoked during such a solemn ceremony. I found that hearing it as I got ready for a busy day of meetings offered me refuge from my worries, and reminded me that God was present, no matter how far I was from home.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse?

Have you read it in a new light recently?