Favorite Bible Verse of 2019
The MOST DOWNLOADED Verse on the YouVersion Bible App in 2019 - "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Phil. 4:6).
According to Christianity Today, in 2019 YouVersion users read 35.6 billion chapters and listened to 5.6 billion chapters through its online and mobile Bible app. In all of this reading, Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:6 was the most shared, highlighted, and bookmarked verse of the year.
The 2019 results are similar to 2018 and 2017 as each year's most popular verse focused on not worrying and putting aside fears. In 2018, it was Isaiah 41:10 (“do not fear, for I am with you”) and 2017’s top verse, Joshua 1:9 (“do not be afraid; do not be discouraged”).
I'm sure 2020 will be no different. The COVID-19 pandemic created hysteria and fear like the world has seldom seen. People have not only been worried about contracting the disease themselves, but they've been worried about the welfare of their families as well.
Many other people are afraid because they've been laid off or their employment has been terminated. Knowing that they no longer have a steady income, many are concerned that they won't be able to provide for their family's needs.
Now more than ever, people are turning anywhere they can to find comfort and peace. One silver lining of this terrible pandemic is that it has driven some back to God and back to the Bible. In last year's most popular verse, Paul commands to stop worrying and start praying. That's great advice!
While it's positive that more people are coming back to God during this international crisis, we need to be careful that we don't use the Word of God as a topical self-help guide. Sometimes we're tempted to use the Word only when we're desperate, then we set aside when we've found what we're looking for.
If you and I really want to live free of anxiety, fear, and worry, we need to pursue God each day through prayer and Bible Study. Then, when the storms of life coming crashing in, we won't be destroyed because we're anchored deep into the Rock of Ages.
Are you afraid? If so, I leave you with the words of Jesus - "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matt. 6:33). If you'll make Him first, He'll take care of everything else.
According to Christianity Today, in 2019 YouVersion users read 35.6 billion chapters and listened to 5.6 billion chapters through its online and mobile Bible app. In all of this reading, Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:6 was the most shared, highlighted, and bookmarked verse of the year.
The 2019 results are similar to 2018 and 2017 as each year's most popular verse focused on not worrying and putting aside fears. In 2018, it was Isaiah 41:10 (“do not fear, for I am with you”) and 2017’s top verse, Joshua 1:9 (“do not be afraid; do not be discouraged”).
I'm sure 2020 will be no different. The COVID-19 pandemic created hysteria and fear like the world has seldom seen. People have not only been worried about contracting the disease themselves, but they've been worried about the welfare of their families as well.
Many other people are afraid because they've been laid off or their employment has been terminated. Knowing that they no longer have a steady income, many are concerned that they won't be able to provide for their family's needs.
Now more than ever, people are turning anywhere they can to find comfort and peace. One silver lining of this terrible pandemic is that it has driven some back to God and back to the Bible. In last year's most popular verse, Paul commands to stop worrying and start praying. That's great advice!
While it's positive that more people are coming back to God during this international crisis, we need to be careful that we don't use the Word of God as a topical self-help guide. Sometimes we're tempted to use the Word only when we're desperate, then we set aside when we've found what we're looking for.
If you and I really want to live free of anxiety, fear, and worry, we need to pursue God each day through prayer and Bible Study. Then, when the storms of life coming crashing in, we won't be destroyed because we're anchored deep into the Rock of Ages.
Are you afraid? If so, I leave you with the words of Jesus - "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matt. 6:33). If you'll make Him first, He'll take care of everything else.
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