By David Ettinger

Introduction
Look at the majority of “most-popular Bible verses” compilations and notice how many of the same verses appear, among them John 3:16, Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 3:5, Romans 8:28, and John 10:10b.
These verses are beloved and have earned their lofty places. My one snippet of objection is that many of the above verses were learned during the formative years of Sunday school, and hence not a wide range of Bible expanse was explored.
I prefer a more naturalistic way of assembling a “favorite verses” collection – reading through the entire Bible every year or few years. Such consistency will take you to the various nooks and crannies of God’s Holy Word, allowing you to discover its manifold pleasures for yourself and compiling your own list.
With this in mind, here are four of my favorite scriptures mined in this way.

Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
This verse comes at the midpoint of perhaps the most somber book of the Bible. Lamentations is a mournful reflection on the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. This lament is filled with anguish and misery, its agonizing articulations having touched grieving readers for centuries, perhaps you among them. As the author wails, it is as if he stops, gains control of himself, and says, “Hey wait. I am a child of the Lord God Almighty. My God loves me. Yes, I mourn today, but I will not always mourn. Tomorrow is a new day, and because my Savior lives, so will I live, and smile, and laugh, and take joy in my Redeemer.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 is a precious gem because it assures you that though you mourn God will revive and refresh you.

Micah 4:5
“All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.”
Though the context is the Millennial (1,000-year) Kingdom, this verse speaks of the ideal attitude Israel was to always possess. Today, this verse can well serve as the marching song for Christians across the world. In Micah’s day, the Israelites should have said, “The Assyrians walk in the names of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the Lord.” Today, you can say, “Everyone around me walks in the name of the god of this world, but not me. No matter what comes my way, I will walk in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
In the days ahead such a stance will yield serious consequences. Walking in the Lord’s name could lead to loss of relationships, employment, and freedoms. It could paint you as “backward and ignorant.” Expect it. Accept it. Glory in it. Let your attitude be exactly what this verse dictates: a determination to uphold the name of Christ no matter what!

Nahum 1:3
“The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.”
Nahum is the prototypical “fire and brimstone” Old Testament book in that it deals with the destruction of Nineveh. As Christians, we love talking about God’s love, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, and kindness, and all these attributes are true. However, we must remember that God is “a consuming fire, a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24) who must punish sin and rebellion.
God is also the all-powerful One who has the might to carry out His judgment. Nahum 1:3 is a priceless gem because it accurately portrays the “other side” of God’s character. Yes, He is our Father and lover of our souls and hearts, but He is also the Creator of the Universe who will punish evil permanently and right the wrongs of this world.
Jude 24
“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.”

Jude is a contentious book dealing with the difficult subject of false teachers. Jude encourages believers to persevere in the light of these fiends, assuring believers that the deceivers will be judged. In the meantime, God will uphold believers who stay true to Him. In our weakness, God gives us strength to stand upright and not stumble in sin and doubt.
Furthermore, you may feel dirty and soiled from merely having to exist in this sin-drenched world. You may feel unworthy of God, perhaps fearing that when it comes time to appear before Him, He will regard you as filthy and polluted. However, in Christ, you have been washed clean and clothed in white robes. Jude 24 is a precious gem because it assures you that Christ is able to present you before God “without fault [blameless] and with great joy,” the joy being yours at having been declared “clean” in God’s sight.
What About You?
If you have Bible gems not regarded as among the “elite,” I’d love to read them!
Lady Quixote/Linda Lee
February 28, 2020
I love these treasures. Thank you for sharing them.
Here is one of my favorite hidden gems:
Habakkuk 3:17-19 Amplified Bible (AMP)
17
Though the fig tree does not blossom
And there is no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive fails
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock is cut off from the fold
And there are no cattle in the stalls,
18
Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord;
I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation!
19
The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army];
He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet
And makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my [a]high places [of challenge and responsibility].
Footnotes:
[a] Habakkuk 3:19 The troubled times of life may actually be the “high places” of spiritual growth for the believer who remains stable when tested by God.
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dettinger47
February 28, 2020
I’m absolutely with you, Linda. In fact, I’ve had this one memorized for about 30 years!
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Angel at Watchyourlifeinpictures
February 28, 2020
Thanks for a wonderfully refreshing post!
One of my favorites:
Zechariah 4:10
“For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.”
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dettinger47
February 28, 2020
Amen. Great verse, and definitely not one that spills off the lips of most Christians. Well done!
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thefathersfeet
February 28, 2020
Well you certainly have me thinking. I always loved John 3 16, and Joshua 24:15, 2 Chronicles 7:14 to name a few but I think my favorite is Matthew 14:31. The bible says IMMEDIATELY Jesus reached out and saved Peter. There was no hesitation, no well Peter you got yourself in this mess… it was immediately. Jesus loves us and will reach out to us immediately…all we have to do is call on Him. ♡ God bless.
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dettinger47
February 28, 2020
A great verse indeed. Now you have me thinking … since I’m new to your blog, I don’t know if you’ve written about this before, but it sure sounds you have the makings of a great post! (If not, maybe I’ll steal if from you. 😀)
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thefathersfeet
February 28, 2020
https://wp.me/pbktX3-8v there I did write something about it
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dettinger47
February 28, 2020
Will read it!
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thefathersfeet
February 28, 2020
Great, comments are always appreciated!
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thefathersfeet
February 28, 2020
I am not sure if I have or not to tell you the truth. There have been so many blogs lately. The Lord has changed how I blog. When I first started it was only prayers. Now there is exhortation. It is very cool to be used by the Father in such a way. Right now He has me going through Psalm 119. You can’t steal what is freely given. God bless. Can’t wait to read it.
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mrsmariposa2014
February 28, 2020
What a great collection of verses, both in the post and here in the comments! I love finding hidden gems and have several I am partial to, but my top one( marked with a sticky note that says, “Help me, Lord.” 🙂) is Psalm 34:13-14:
” Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.” The idea of actually pursuing peace was such a revelatory concept when I first stumbled on it. It remains a very important key in my life.
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dettinger47
February 28, 2020
Excellent, Marisa. Thanks for the great contribution!
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seekingdivineperspective
March 2, 2020
I think we sang that at our church, if it’s the same one. Of course, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” has always been one of my favorites. It was playing in the my head all night when my daughter was born, and the church seemed to be singing it every time she had a major life milestone. It was the first song the congregation sang at her wedding. ❤
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vicklea
February 28, 2020
Lamentations 3:22-23 is a song that we used to sing in one of our churches and one of my very favorite verses.
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dettinger47
February 28, 2020
Interesting, I didn’t know it was a song!
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soulsmitten2020
February 28, 2020
Love these! The first one has been my ‘life verse’ but that one in Nahum brings tears to my eyes ❤️🙏
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heavensreef
February 29, 2020
MY FAVORITE: It came to me at a time when I needed all the comfort GOD could give me: 109:21 “But you O Sovereign LORD, deal well with me for YOUR name’s sake. Out of the goodness of your love deliver me, for I am poor and needy and my heart is wounded within me.”
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dettinger47
February 29, 2020
Great verse!
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heavensreef
March 2, 2020
Thanks I have shared it with so many people who have needed it too.
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Lisa Beth
March 1, 2020
I long to walk right and also come under teachers who have Gods unction. That’s why Isaiah 66:2 stands in my heart…
“This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.”
Press on brother!
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dettinger47
March 1, 2020
Tremendous verse. Thank you, Lisa Beth!
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thisgloriousthought
April 8, 2020
Come now let us reason together, though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow – Is 1 vs18
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dettinger47
April 8, 2020
A wonderful verse. Thank you for sharing.
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Morgan
May 29, 2020
Love this!
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dettinger47
May 29, 2020
Thank you, Morgan.
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