I’m standing at the kitchen island, cutting up fruit for a salad, when a verse pops into my head.
I have no idea why I think of it right then—it had not come to mind for a long time. It’s a passage from my verse box—a plastic container full of scriptures on index cards that I’ve collected over the years.
“Send your light and your truth; let them lead me. Let them bring me to your holy mountain, to your dwelling place. Then I will come to the altar of God, to God, my greatest joy. I will praise you with the lyre, God, my God.” (Psalm 43.3-4)
Like many of the other verses in the box, I wrote this one down in 2005—a whole decade ago. And it’s the first 10 words I especially remember now:
“Send your light and your truth; let them lead me.”
Balm for my soul, on a day when my body is dragging and my mind is foggy.
I slept badly two nights before, the same day the clocks sprang forward. Add in other tired family members and medication that occasionally warps my thinking and puts me on edge, and we have all the necessary ingredients for a bad couple of days.
But I don’t have to be a victim of this unfortunate batch of timing. The Word that is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path shows me the way out, if only I think to remember it.
“Send your light and your truth; let them lead me.”
I get out the verse box and start rifling, intent on finding the words that entered my mind moments earlier. On my way to that card, I encounter others that remind me of God’s faithfulness in the past and fill me with hope for the future.
I normally don’t fill blog posts with long lists of Bible verses, but I’m making an exception today because I don’t think I’m the only one who might need these same reminders.
“Send your light and your truth; let them lead me.”
• • • • •
“This is the word of the Lord your Maker, who shaped you from birth; He will help you.” (Isaiah 44:2)
“One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: that You, O God, are strong, and that You, O Lord, are loving.” (Psalm 62:11-12)
“Ah, Lord God! You Yourself made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and Your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for you.” (Jeremiah 32:17)
“Let me experience your faithful love in the morning, for I trust in you. Reveal to me the way I should go, because I long for you. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I come to you for protection. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground.” (Psalm 143:8-10)
“Lord, my God—You have done many things—Your wonderful works and Your plans for us; none can compare with You. If I were to report and speak of them, they are more than can be told.” (Psalm 40:5)
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge.” (Psalm 62:5-7)
“He said, ‘Don’t be afraid, you who are treasured by God. Peace to you; be very strong.” (Daniel 10:19)
“The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves you. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will bring you quietness with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
“Now this is what the Lord says—the One who created you, Jacob, and the One who formed you, Israel—‘Do not fear for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.’ ” (Isaiah 43:1)
“The result of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever. Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place, and in safe and restful dwellings.” (Isaiah 32:17-18)
“ ‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” (Isaiah 54:10)
“Satisfy us in the morning with Your faithful love so that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days.” (Psalm 90:14)
P.S. I’m linking up today with Holley Gerth at Coffee for Your Heart and Jennifer Dukes Lee at #TellHisStory. Come join us for more encouragement.