1. Jeremiah 30:2
“Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Write all the words which I have spoken to you in a book.’”
and Revelation 21:5
And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
Yes, these are precise words to designated prophets with specific assignments. (And yes, I’m starting out with a twofer.) However, Christian writers should take note, as they show our Lord commissioning writers for His purposes. He could have communicated with mankind in any way He pleased, and He chose the written word. (More on this in a moment.)
2. Psalm 45:1
My heart overflows with a good theme;
I address my verses to the King;
My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
I love that this verse likens an overflow of praise to a ready writer. That white-hot glow of an intense creative burst that we all love? It’s a picture of what our praise can and should look like. (Bonus tip: when you let God fill your heart with good stuff, good stuff comes pouring out.)
3. Matthew 13:51-52
“Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes.” And Jesus said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”
Jesus, who so often taught by telling stories, spoke a special word to the scribes who became His followers. The word scribe here refers to a clerk, public servant, secretary or recorder, possibly a teacher of the law. What a thrill that when we understand His word, our store of treasure contains old things (like truth and salvation) and new things He’s licensed to us to create!
4. Esther 4:13-14
Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”
I include this verse for two reasons. First, its application: who knows whether your writing journey hasn’t led you to such a time as this? Second, its pure power in the story of Esther. I hope the stories I tell, whether fiction or nonfiction, will be blessed to raise chills and strengthen hearts in the Lord in a similar way.
5. Psalm 19:1-4a-b
The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their utterances to the end of the world.
Remember No. 1, where the Lord could have chosen any means of communication? It turns out that He did. All creation proclaims Him, folks. Before I get too puffed up in thinking how meaningful my writerly service is, Psalm 19 is there to remind me that while God chose words, He didn’t need them.
Question for You
Which Bible verses inspire YOUR writing life?
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