My Favorite Bible Verses

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“Do all that you have in mind,” His armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

1 Samuel 14:7, NIV.

            This has been my favorite Bible verse for many years. I can recall the very first time I heard it. I sat in my regular church pew on a Sunday morning, with a line of boys from my youth group lined up on my left and right.

            For those unfamiliar with this verse, King Saul and 600 of his men camped on the outskirts of Gibeah when his son Jonathan had the bright idea to attack a Philistine encampment with only his armor-bearer's assistance. The two then left the camp and called out to the Philistines, who invited them to come up. When they approached, they killed 20 men in a small area, instilling fear in the Philistines, who subsequently fled. Saul and his remaining army observed the commotion and eliminated the rest of the fleeing Philistines.

            This verse is my favorite for many reasons. One, and this is sentimental, is because after hearing it, I recall looking to my left and then my right, meeting the gaze of every boy who sat near me. I knew in my heart they were saying it back to me as I said it to them in my heart. “I am with you heart and soul.” That’s a friendship you can only find with God.

            The other is that this scripture shows us our value and what we can achieve with God on our side. Jonathan was just a man, as was his armor bearer. But together with God, they literally faced an army, went into battle, and won. On paper, those were not only impossible odds, but if you consider it from a logical standpoint, it seems somewhat foolish.

            But with God, the odds are always in our favor. It may seem impossible, but with a clean, repentant heart and His faithfulness, nothing is out of the question.

            Perhaps there is a near-impossible feat that you can recall conquering with his help.

ABOUT FREEDOM THROUGH THE NARROW GATE

Follow Jacob as he leaves the safety of the mouse village for a taste of blackberries and a daring adventure, only to come face to face with the menacing Swamp Rats and their vicious leader, Caine. 

Jacob, inspired by his grandfather’s tale of “The Legend of the Great Mouse,” longs for an adventure of his own. When he steps beyond the village with his friend Rudy on a simple blackberry hunt, they are unexpectedly captured by the feared Swamp Rats. Inside this dangerous realm, they meet an unexpected ally, a rat burdened with guilt and yearning for redemption. As the story progresses, Jacob and his new friend’s destinies intertwine as they discover deeper truths about family, friendship, and the transformative power of forgiveness. 

However, lurking in the shadows is the sinister Caine, an escaped lab rat who grows increasingly unhinged as the situation unfolds. As Jacob navigates the swamps, he and his allies must confront Caine’s dark ambitions. Will they be able to outsmart this formidable foe, or will the story of their adventure in tragedy? 

Perfect for young readers who love tales of camaraderie, redemption, and high-stakes adventure, Freedom Through the Narrow Gate is a heart-stirring continuation of the world introduced in The Oasis King.  BUY LINK

ABOUT MARK DAVID PULLEN

Mark David Pullen lives in upstate New York, where he was born and raised. He lives with his wife, two children, and a fur baby, Toby. Besides writing, Mark loves to spend time outdoors, hiking, fishing, and hunting.

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mark-David-Pullen/author/B0B6H2HKBY