I received a frantic text from my daughter with the news.
We were stunned. Our dear friend’s young daughter had been admitted a week earlier to the hospital without any real alarm. The first uneventful night had turned into several critical days and nights and then suddenly, she began to spiral quickly, her organs shutting down one by one.
Her family – siblings and parents now gathered around her hospital bed – held her in the shocking surreal of her last hours, as she passed from this life into eternity.
When I received my daughter’s text with the news, I hurried from our Sunday evening church service straight to their home. Already, friends had begun to gather around this family.
What do you say to such deep need? What salve is there really for these kinds of real and raw wounds?
I love you.
I’ve learned to just simply say, I love you.
It doesn’t eliminate the circumstances.
It doesn’t placate with platitudes.
It doesn’t mandate a conditioned response.
Somehow, these three words carry more comfort, more reassurance, more empathy than other things that are often said.
I love you says I’m here with you; I’ll be here for you.
Just a few months earlier, after Dan died and I was walking my own raw and real grief, this same friend had hugged hard and said those same words to me and I saw first-hand how deeply comforting it was to know I am loved.
But even more than that, as I faced the blank canvas of my future and the overwhelming task of raising our seven children, I desperately needed to hear from God. Every morning, heavy with multiple fears and deep sadness, I’d go to God through His Word.
I didn’t look up particular topics in the concordance or hunt for certain scriptures. Instead, I joined in with a reading plan that our whole church had been encouraged to do that year. We were reading through the Bible in one year, using a reading plan that took us into passages from four different books of the Bible each day.
Morning after morning, God lifted my head. It didn’t matter whether I was plodding through Old Testament books like Leviticus or Lamentations or reading from New Testament books like Mark or Hebrews. Every single time I opened the Word, God’s spirit confirmed to mine – I love you. I’m here with you. I’ll be here for you.
Maybe you’ve heard it said that the Bible is God’s love letter. God doesn’t just act in love but God IS love. Every God-breathed book of His Word unveils a bit more of His limitless, perfect love to us.
Take just a minute to see how God expresses His love to us in all 66 books of the Bible.
That will get your day going! What beautiful truth. How amazing that all of God’s Word – every single book – is a reflection and expression of his matchless love for us. Oh that we would walk in soul-deep assurance of God’s tender I love you over us.
In Deuteronomy, God keeps His covenant of love to us and to a thousand generations.
In Nehemiah, God helps us rebuild all that is broken.
In John, God gives us everlasting life.
In Revelation, God receives us as His beloved, as His treasured bride.
In her new book, 66 Ways God Loves You, Jennifer Rothschild walks through each book of the Bible to discover how God reveals His love to us from beginning to end. You will love exploring how God’s love is revealed throughout scripture.
I’m so delighted I was able to review 66 Ways God Loves You and even more excited that I received two brand new copies to give away. This is a beautiful, hard-back book that would make a great devotional or gift book.
I’ll give away two copies of 66 Ways God Loves You to one person — one for you and another to share! This giveaway is open to anyone in the contiguous 48 United States. To enter, leave a comment sharing your favorite book of the Bible. Entries will close on Friday at midnight.
P.S. My sweet friend, Tiffany at SimplyforOne is having a ReLaunch Event this week and today she’s giving away 5 prizes — several fun bundles and a copy of my Christmas ebook, Countdown to Christmas. {more on that coming soon!} Head over to Tiffany’s if you’d like to enter to win!
Bonnie stokes says
1&2Timothy
Mary says
It’s hard to pick a favorite book. Psalms is probably the book I would have to choose.
Stephanie Ewart says
Since the death of my son in May , I have found great comfort in the book of Psalms. In psalms, David frequently shares God’s love for him as he is protected, comforted, and always near.
Lynn C says
Words that were so affirming. Thank you!
Margie says
No favorite book… I just Love the Word!
Jessica says
My favorite book is Psalms. I go to Psalms when I am in desperate need of comfort and a word from God.
Susan londres says
My favorite book is Isaiah. On the first anniversary of my husbands death, I asked the Lord as I wrestled with him… what would you have for Me? I desperately needed hope and some vision that He was going to do something in my wrestle with Him, in my life. He took me to Isaiah’s 61: 1-3 and those verses became my beacon of HOPE for the next 9 years and are still what I live out of today …. “for His Glory.” I then began to read Isaiah and found it such a rich book that is so alive today and referenced all throughout the Rest of the Bible! How cool is that! So yes…. I never really read Isaiah before loosing my husband… now I love it!
jackie says
favorite book… Ephesians
Darla says
It’s so hard to pick. During different times and seasons some books touch me more than others. But I do love the Psalms because they truly are for our lives today…when we are hurting, sick, anxious, depressed and even sin and repent . I love that God loves us enough to show real people and real feelings in the Bible that we can relate to….not just people that have it all together. He is a loving Father ,our Abba . His Word is a beautiful love letter.
Joi Clark says
My favorite book is Philippians because it tells me how to love others and how much I am loved
Teresa Dunlap says
My favorite is Psalms..so many different ways to know that I am loved.
Cathy says
John, it is about who Jesus is, why he came and what he did for me. It’s about love.
Angie says
Psalms… during the darkest time in my life, it showed me how to cry out to God when I thought i couldn’t go one more step, and reminded me that He is there in both sorrow and blessings.
cheryl says
I have two favorites, Psalms & John
Anna Rice says
What a lovely giveaway! My favorite book is Psalms, where there are numerous passages that encourage my soul during any season I’m in.
Denise Roberts says
I have learned that my favorite book is the one I am in. Used to think I had a favorite but I fall in love with God in each one and in turn they become the one I love.
Donnie Taunton says
I love Romans to reread over and over. But it seems each book I study becomes a new favorite at that time, which right now is 1 Peter.
Kelly says
Not sure I can pick just one favorite book of the Bible! The Psalms comfort and give hope, the gospels show us Jesus’ life and sacrifice, the epistles instruct us in all sorts of ways, Genesis tells the beginning of God’s love story……
Angel says
All Books Of The Bible Is My Favorite,Because All Books Is God Speaking To Us,Sharing His Love And Salvation Toward Us,All We Have To Do Is Believe His Word,Trust His Word And Obey His Word,Anen.
Susan says
Exodus is profound as we see God’s deliverance of His people from bondage. He then qualifies Himself by reminding the people of all He had done to deliver them before He gave them the first commandment : “you shall have no other gods before Me”. Then another amazing thing is His detailed instructions for the building as well as the furnishings for the tabernacle. Every detail – the layout, every piece of furniture, every color, every measurement points to Jesus and God’s plan of redemption. Understanding the details of the tabernacle and why God planned it the way He did – as a type of what was to come through His Son- redemption that would be completely perfect and permanent, puts a whole new depth to one’s study of the New Testament.
LaKrisha says
Lisa, I always enjoy reading your insights.
If I had to pick one, I’d say Psalms. There’s something in there for any and every season or circumstance.
Gail says
Habakkuk 1:5
He will do something that I will have to see to believe
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Yet I will rejoice
Melissa Perkins says
Either Proverbs or James, there is so much applicable truth in both.
Marian says
The Book of James. Like a parent to his or her child; reprimands them so they do not steer off the right path or fall into trouble. This is all done out of love and care for the child. So does our Father do the very same; out of perfect, faithful and unwavering love for us! Sometimes it hurts but although we can’t see the immediate benefit, our Father knows whats best! Oh boy! And there have been many a times in which He’d remove scales from my eyes about life situations and I have to willingly admit I am grateful!
Donna says
I treasure the whole of God’s Word, but have spent much time in Psalms while dealing with chronic illness.
Nancy Brant says
As impossible as it is to pick only one, i would have to say Psalms, but I also love one of the answers I read here – whatever book I’m in! Only God’s word is so alive and perfect that it can be be changeless and also speak different things to us in our changing circumstances.
Keri McCue says
I have to say Exodus. The history of the Israelites and their constant failure is a true picture of all of us. How often does God prove Himself for us, He never lets us down and always provided? And yet, we still fall to our sin, we still chose to worship other things. Exodus is not only and amazing history book but a beautiful picture of the Gospel. I just love it, it’s so humbling to read and remember!
http://www.littlelightonahill.com
Lois Flowers says
I have to agree with so many others that Psalms is my single favorite book, Lisa. The writing is beautiful, the theology powerful, the struggles are real, the pattern of honest prayer followed by praise–it’s just all so good. It’s not a specific book, but I also love the historical parts of the Old Testament. There are so many fascinating personalities and examples of God’s character on display there.
Christine says
James. So practical.
Kathryn says
Going on two years in this valley… I’d have to say any and every book that reassures me of God’s love, grace, faithfulness, strength, promises, forgiveness, holding me up when I just couldn’t go on, never leaving my side, speaking His truth to me… and always… always… always… showing me that I am LOVED.
Jenny C. says
I love Psalms – it often expresses what’s in my heart, both my praises & my pain. God’s Word is so precious.
Jennifer Waddle says
The book of John is my favorite. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God…” These were the first words I ever read from the Bible at the age of 17, months before I gave my life to Christ.
Ella Trulove says
My favorite is Psalms, Especially the 23rd of Psalms but otherwise it is the whole Bible for I find that God tells us in many ways that he loves us as well provides with versions of peace.
Catherine Elizabeth Rossilli says
Romans: Where Paul beautifully describes the Gospel, and then our response to the Gospel.
Adrianna Genaro says
The book of Ephesians.
Melanie says
My favorite book of the Bible is a toss up between Psalms and Proverbs.
K. Ann Guinn says
I can’t say I have one favorite book. I agree with the sentiment that they are all precious, and meaningful for different days and seasons. One of my favorite scriptures, though (that has ministered to me especially during these past couple of years), is Romans 15:13. It says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (NIV) I’d have to say that Romans is definitely one of my favorite books, as it speaks of the very real human struggle between our flesh and our spirit, but also reminds us of God’s love and victory in Christ.
Janna B says
James is my favorite at the moment.
Melanie says
Phillipiians!
Leslie K says
James
Sandy says
Ruth
Sandy says
Ruth
Sharon says
I love the gospel of Luke. It really shows the loving relationship between Mary and Jesus. I found great comfort in it after we lost our 19 year old son to a brain aneurysm.
Kim O. says
Nehemiah. I love how he prays and God moves mountains. It gives such hope in my own prayer life.
Bethany says
Titus is my most recent favorite! Otherwise Jeremiah.
Katrina Morgan says
Proverbs is one of my favorite books. It has a chapter a day. 🙂
Mary Sorensen says
I found refuge, strength and yes, love, when I needed it most, in God’s Word. I would pick up my bible and ask God, “What do I do now?” The grief was overwhelming. I felt lost. I would be drawn back to Isaiah 41:10.
Within 11 months’ time, my eldest daughter died suddenly, nine months later my dear husband suffered a fatal heart attack, and two months after that I took in my daughter’s two youngest children on the day their father was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder for my daughter’s death. In no time, his parents took me to court because they wanted the children. The memory of a group from my church in the hallway of the courthouse, covering me and the children in prayer, (my pastor stayed the entire day in the hallway praying), is one I will be forever grateful for. What a blessing! It should not have surprised me when I heard someone recite, in the hallways of that courthouse, Isaiah 41:10-13. Powerful and Mighty is our Loving God.
Vicky says
The Psalms
Cathy Mills says
Psalms
Briana Arranaga says
I will be honest, I have not read every single book in the Bible. Hoooowever, choosing from the books I have read in the Bible I would have to go with…Proverbs!
Laura says
Romans
Dani says
Esther. In Esther, we see God breathed into every word and action, yet he is not a character in the beauty of the story. This so frequently applies to us. God is not physically standing next to us, yet every action and word of mine should be God breathed.
Holly says
Psalms and the minor prophets. : )
Esther M. Tinort says
My favorite book is the book of Esther. God demonstrates His protection for His people in a way that caused Faith on the part of Esther to be demonstrated. This tells me that although God will deliver us, He will often call us to take part by pulling deep faith forward. Esther was willing to perish, much like the Hebrew boys and Daniel, in order to achieve God’s deliverance through favor from the King!