I saw a fear and panic in their little eyes. “Go to the other room and pray.” I was holding my one month old son. He was not breathing right, not moving right and his color looked off.
Two of his older sisters heard me on the phone with 911 and ran to see what was going on. Seeing him confirmed the panic they had heard in my voice.
They started to leave to go pray, but just after they turned away I called them back. “Girls!” They stopped and turned.
“No matter what happens remember that God is good. He is always good.”
I did not know the future of my small, precious son. And for some reason, in that moment, I needed to speak truth to my girls in case tragedy forever marked them. I needed them to know, that even if the unthinkable happens, God is good. That’s just who He is.
The EMT’s arrived after just a few minutes and my son turned out to be fine. Today he is a happy and healthy six years old. (You can read the whole story here)
It is crucial for us as Christians to know God’s character- who He says He is.
If we don’t, we will be tempted to make our own conclusions based off of our experiences in this broken world.
If we don’t know God’s character we may misinterpret life, death, the Bible and even God himself.
The only reason I thought to remind my girls that God is good even in that traumatic moment is because I had Psalm 119:68 memorized.
6 VERSES TO MEMORIZE
Below are six verses I recommend memorizing as they speak to God’s heart and character. There are many more verses than what I’ve listed here, but this is a great place to start. Enjoy!
You are good and what you do is good.
Psalm 119:68
This is basic but incredibly profound. God’s nature is good ALL the TIME.
Even when things in the world are not good. Even when there is brokenness, tragedy and chaos, God remains good.
You have searched me Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise.”
Pslam 119:105
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary says, “God has perfect knowledge of us, and all our thoughts and actions are open before him.”
He knows all and sees all. He sees our actions and knows our hearts. This is basic to God’s nature and speaks to not only His knowledge, but his deep care for the individual.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
I love this verse.
God’s right hand often symbolizes God’s strength, provision, and ability to carry out His promise.
This is our God. He is with us and for us. He will not remove His right hand from us.
I am God and there is no other, I am God and there is none like me.
Isaiah 46:9
On my lowest days, this verse reminds me to take my eyes off myself and my junk and look up! This simple yet powerful declaration of who God is provokes my heart to worship EVERY TIME!
Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:17
God looks at our heart. Verse after verse emphasizes this idea that God is concerned with our heart above all else!
When the prophet Eli looked at all the sons of Jesse, he thought surely the oldest, strongest and handsomest was God’s anointed.
But after God rejected each of Jesse’s sons, Jesse finally sent for his youngest son, who was so unimpressive they didn’t even bother to have him join the line-up of potential future kings! Poor little guy.
However, David not only becomes king but God calls him a man after His own heart.
The Son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Matthew 20:28
God incarnate came to dwell among us. He could have demanded worship and praise from all creation, but He came to serve and give up His life for others.
PS- This is a very basic list. The scriptures are jam packed with verses about God’s character! Start by memorizing these and then add more to your list!
PSS- Tell me when you do! I’d love to hear what you find!
