What’s Your Verse for 2024?
“Sunlight won’t catch a stick on fire, but a magnifying glass to focus the sunlight will.”
As a kid, I remember hearing the above science fun fact, so I decided to test it out. Instead of a piece of wood, I used a newspaper. On a bright and sunny day, I pulled out my little magnifying glass and positioned it for the sun to turn into a laser beam to light the newspaper on fire.
Nothing. Not even a smolder.
After holding that piece of glass for about seven seconds, my hand got tired, my mind got bored, and I ran off to do something else. I tried it, but it didn’t work. Looking back, I learned that you have to commit to holding that magnifying glass for a bit longer than seven seconds until you see any progress.
COMMITMENT — A TIMELESS PRINCIPLE THAT MUST BE APPLIED TO DO ANYTHING WORTHWHILE.
As the calendar provides a natural beginning, I encourage you to renew your commitment and conviction to reading and studying scripture.
“Commit” means to be devoted to something. Commitment is a decision to stick with something difficult before you experience success.
Choosing a life verse for one year is one way to keep your commitment to reading scripture like a fire that never goes out.
Humans do not thrive in unrestraint. Divine guidance from the Word of God and the Spirit of God will produce life change.
Here are a few other examples.
If you want to renew your devotion to Jesus:
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” – Luke 9:23-24
If you need a daily reminder of the goodness of God:
“Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” – Psalm 27:13-14
If you want to live in the power of the life-giving Spirit of God:
“When the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” – John 14:26
If you want to stay focused on being a light in the darkness:
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” – Philippians 2:13-15
Whatever verse you choose, write it down and place it somewhere you will read it daily.
The Bible is not just a religious book. The written word is how God carefully protected his words so they would not be lost, changed, distorted, or forgotten. The story of scripture is written down so that we can understand who God is and build our lives on an unshakable foundation.
What will you choose as a life verse for this year to renew your conviction and commitment to God’s Word?