This is the sixth article highlighting our young writers' selection of their 7 most beautiful verses from the Bible. The idea came from an article highlighting the 50 most beautiful sentences of literature.
The remarkable thing about these articles – they were on Christian Today's Most Popular articles for that week. The four selected for this article are:
Michael Dahlenburg
Emma Seabrook
Harriet Knox
Chloe Alexander
Michael Dahlenburg - Adelaide
Romans 12:12 – Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer
Psalm 46 – God is our refuge. We will not fear, though the earth give way. The nations rage, kingdoms fall. "Be still and know that I am God."
2 Corinthians 4:16 – Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
1 Peter 3:3-4 – Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes, Rather it should be that your inner-self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight
1 Corinthians 2:9 - However, as it is written: What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived — the things God has prepared for those who love him.
Ephesians 4:2 - Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Colossians 3:14 - And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Harriet Knox - Wellington NZ
1 Peter 5: 6-11
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Emma Seabrook - Melbourne
Deuteronomy 31:8 - The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Matthew 5:43-44 - You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbour and hate your enemy." But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Psalm 40:1-2 - I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
Psalm 42:11 - Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will praise him, my Saviour and my God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for i am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strength you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 1:18 - "Come now, let us settle the matter", says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
Chloe Alexander - Darwin
Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
John 15:5 - "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
Romans 1:16-17 - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
Romans 5:5 - And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose
2 Cor 5:20 - We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Meanwhile another of Mark Tronson's most beautiful verses comes from Exodus 1:8 "Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph." Mark says that there will be situations in our lives where this very thing occurs and it's always a hard thing where our whole being in Christ demands our utmost attention.
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 mentors young writers and 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 http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html