It would be difficult to try and recount in any given year the number of such bible verses included in these correspondences or to give a statistical analysis of the most quoted bible verses, although Proverbs 3 verses 5 and 6 would be high on the list.
Proverbs 3 verses 5 and 6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
This was also the text that my own parents wrote in the sleeve of their 21st birthday gift to me, a Thompson's Chain Reference King James Bible in 1972 which he still uses and treasures.
Recently I held a "young writers" mini-conference in Tweed Heads and four of the delegates arrived early enough for them to accompany him to a Saturday morning 8.00am prayer breakfast held at a nearby fellow missionaries home.
As I was driving the question was asked, whether they needed a bible, as I had this same 21st birthday King James Bible. I explained that bibles are provided in various translations, but that I bring this particular bible as I was accustomed to its 1611 English as it proved by generations to be easily remembered with its poetic style.
Yes, many of the great Bible verses from the King James Bible are prose user friendly: This is such a brief selection -
Joshua 1 verse 9 Be strong and of good courage ….
Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want ….
Habahhuk 4 verse 2 The just shall by faith ….
Malachi 3 verse 10 open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing
John 3 verse 16 For God so loved the world He gave …..
Romans 6 verse 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God …..
1 Corinthians 15 verse 55 O death, where is thy sting ….
Hebrews 11 verse 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for …..
Recently, a friend from Melbourne sent such a letter with a bible text written at the bottom of the page from Proverbs 16 verse 9. "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps."
Whenever someone sends a letter with such a bible verse, I stop, open the Scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to speak into my heart. So many times it has been therapeutic in so many different ways.
Yes, they are often favourite texts, but sometimes, it is a bible verse that is chosen very carefully and not one of those often quoted, and in these instances, I take a step back and note it, and carefully and prayerfully considers its reflective insights.
Moreover when at the Laguna Quays Respite facility where I have more time, I spend a greater amount of time in such reflection.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html