The Bible is a pretty big book. There are over 31,000 verses and it’s so long that people set out on a year-long journey to read the Bible. All the verses are meaningful, but there are some that really stand out. Some verses are memorable and help us in times of need. Here are some of the best short Bible verses that pack powerful lessons.
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“Jesus wept.” - John 11:35
Only two words, this Bible verse is the shortest, yet is a great thing to realize. Jesus is just like us and showed emotion. He wasn’t some robot. Jesus was an empath and cared for others. He expressed sadness and wept over the death of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha.
“Rejoice always.” - I Thessalonians 5:16
Readers are challenged to express joy. Apostle Paul is stating that while life is hard there is much to be happy about. Early Christians weren’t happy when persecuted for their faith, but they remembered what God did for them and rejoiced. There are many struggles in life, yet we can have inner joy and know that God is all.
“Pray without ceasing.” - I Thessalonians 5:17
Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to pray. And keep on praying. Not a never-ending stream of prayers for like 24 hours, but the idea that praying and continuing to seek God is a good habit. To routinely seek God through prayer will lead those into better situations no matter the circumstances.
“Abstain from every form of evil.” - I Thessalonians 5:22
Paul with the short Bible verses, again! He warns believers to try and stay out of bad situations and to not get caught up in wrong things. “Abstain” is the keyword and it means to prevent yourself from doing something. We are always tempted in our lives to do things. Some of these things may be immoral, but with the help of God, we can restrain ourselves and abstain.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain.” - I Timothy 6:6
The dangers of being greedy and constantly seeking wealth are expressed in this short Bible verse. Being content is paired with Godliness. It doesn’t matter about what you have, as long as you’re content with yourself. Apostle Paul wrote this verse to Timothy who knew a bit about how to be content.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” - Psalm 119:105
If you’ve ever encountered a tough decision and weren’t sure of what choice to make, this verse may come in handy. God lets us know that he is our guide and that his words shine like light, showing us the way. We won’t be tripping over something in the dark, as he has illuminated the path ahead of us and is pointing us in the right direction.
