The entire title is The Defining Verse: Find Your Life’s Sentence Through the Lives of 63 Bible Characters. That’s a mouthful. And a good hook for a book concept. Wondering what my defining verse might be, and as Warren Wiersbe is one of my favorite writers, I immediately bought the book.
Pastor Wiersbe starts with the story of Adam and his defining verse and goes on through every major character. I’ve made it through Isaac, and finally realize that the book is actually the entire Bible explained in plain language, and with many a humorous observation on humanity, through the ancient characters and their actions and lessons learned.
When I was explaining the book to a friend, she popped back with a verse from Psalms that calls for help. “Help! is my constant prayer,” she said.
Boy, I can sure agree with that. Help is my most used prayer, too.
This morning I experienced a verse coming at me from two entirely separate places. Does that happen to you–a Bible verse coming across your attention from two or more places, standing out as if waving? It frequently happens to me, and when it does, I think God is wanting me to pay special attention.
The verse this morning was “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.” (Zechariah 4:6) I had read it last night in Wiersbe’s book, highlighted it and sent it to myself in email. Then this morning I read a devotion using that exact verse.
There is a desire that I have, one that came long ago when in my twenties, and that has remained, a nagging whisper. I have been hesitant to give it a go, though, because of the voice inside that tells me: “It’s too late. You’re too old and don’t have enough energy, and the chances of accomplishment are stacked against you.” I only see my lack.
I had been mulling over the desire last night, when I read Wiersbe citing the matriarch Sarah, Abraham’s old wife, and how the impossible happened for her. Wiersbe wrote:
“From small beginnings, humanly speaking, the Lord can do great things that glorify His name. This is a good word of encouragement for anybody who has lost hope and wants to give up. “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” was the promise God gave them through Zechariah (4:6), and that promise is still valid today.” ~ Warren W. Wiersbe, The Defining Verse.
I pass this encouragement along to anyone who may need it. When we have a desire for good, that is from God, and through His Spirit He provides all we need to walk the journey toward the desire. I don’t mean to suggest that we will definitely end up gaining every desire we strive for. But we will definitely end up gaining something valuable. It is in the journey–the seeking and asking for help–that we change and grow closer to God. It is the journey itself that is the glory.
Don’t give up, give thanks, ask for help and try again. Which is what I’m telling myself.
Blessings,
Curtiss Ann Matlock 