Lesser-Known Gems of the Bible

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!

Tagged: Favorite Bible Verses, The Bible, the New Testament, The Old Testament

Posted in: Ancient Israel, Application, Bible study, Bible teaching, Christianity, Devotional, Glorifying God, New Testament, Old Testament, The Bible