Verses that inspire us

We've talked before about how the Lord is like a master refiner; He tempers us with the heat of life and lovingly watches until the debris and the dross floats up and can be removed. Just as it's demonstrated in the metal working craft, the impurities in our lives must be removed, and the point at which we will be finished is the time that the Master can look into the bowl and see His face.

Paul said that we will not be finished until we are with Him; but he noted that he would continue to strive for godliness until the day God took him home to heaven.

Sometimes in our personal studies, we find verses that inspire us to heights of joy. Some verses comfort us.

Other verses are downright disturbing -- they point fingers where we don't want to look; they show us the impurities and the sins in our lives, and we can't ignore them any longer.

Have you read a verse like that lately? This verse tugged at my heart recently, and I needed to do some soul-searching:

                   Then I will return to my place until they admit their guilt and turn
                   to me. For as soon as trouble comes, they will earnestly search for
                   me.  (Hosea 5:15)

How true this is, in all of our lives . . . as soon as trouble comes, we will seek Him. But do we seek just as earnestly when the waters are calm?

Just something to think about.

Please leave a comment if you will, and share a verse that has comforted, inspired, or convicted you recently. You never know who you may help with your insights.