“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)

I often hear people say they cannot memorize Bible passages: “I’m not good at memorizing anything,” or, “I have too many other things to think about during my day, so I don’t have the time.” But there are some verses that are extremely short and instantly memorable. For instance, “Jesus wept” is the shortest verse in the Bible. I bet you’ve already memorized it! Maybe you haven’t memorized its reference, John 11:35, but that’s easy to add. Just say it at the beginning and end of the verse: “John 11:35: Jesus wept. John 11:35.” That’s it—you’re done! Wasn’t that easy?

What can we learn from this two-word verse?

First, it shows that Jesus cared deeply and emotionally. He was moved by the sorrow of those He loved and cried alongside them. This is important because it refutes the common misconception of God as emotionally distant and out of touch with the world He created. Remember, Jesus and the Father are one. He said, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)

Second, it reminds us that it is okay to grieve, to process strong emotions, to face terrible situations, and to cry. Tears are not a sign of weak faith but of a heart touched by love and loss.

Challenge

Take a moment today to memorize John 11:35 and carry it with you. When you encounter someone who is grieving or burdened, remember that Jesus understands and weeps with them—and so can you. Sometimes the greatest ministry is simply being present with compassion.

Additional References

“As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it.” (Luke 19:41)

“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.” (John 11:33)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)

This passage gives us a command, instructions, and a promise:

1. The command: Don’t be anxious about anything.

2. The instructions: Pray to God about it, thank Him in it, and present your request to Him.

3. The promise: God will give you His peace—beyond human understanding—and He will guard your heart and mind in Christ.

Imagine carrying a heavy backpack all day, weighed down with worry. The moment you set it down, the relief is immediate. Prayer is laying your burdens at God’s feet and trusting Him to carry the weight. In exchange, He gives you peace that no circumstance can shake.

Therefore

When anxiety rises, don’t hold on to it—hand it over to God in prayer. He will carry your burden and replace your worry with His perfect peace.

• “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (Matt. 6:25 ESV)

• “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 ESV)

“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isa. 40:31 ESV)

This promise has two parts: we must wait on the Lord, and in return, He will renew our strength. Waiting is not easy, especially in a world of instant answers and quick solutions. Yet, God’s timetable is perfect, and His strength is far greater than our own.

Think of a phone battery that runs down after constant use. The only way to restore its power is to stay connected to the charger. In the same way, our strength is renewed only when we remain connected to God by waiting on Him in prayer, trust, and patience.

Therefore

Don’t grow weary or give up—wait on the Lord. He will recharge your spirit, strengthen your walk, and lift you higher than you could ever go on your own.

• “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (2 Cor. 4:16 ESV)

• “Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9 ESV)

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV)

This beautiful promise has two connected parts:

1. God promises to keep you in perfect peace.

2. This peace comes because you trust in Him.

If you want to experience the peace God offers, trust in Him must be at the center.

Peter’s experience on the water in Matthew 14:29–32 is a vivid illustration. In the middle of a storm, Peter stepped out of the boat and began walking on water toward Jesus. As long as his eyes stayed on Jesus, he was fine. But the moment he looked at the wind and waves, fear took over—he began to sink. Jesus caught him and asked, “You of little faith… why did you doubt?”

What is peace?

Webster’s dictionary defines it as “freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions.” That’s exactly what God offers—a deep inner calm that no storm can touch.

But it’s hard to hold onto peace when scary things happen or when we’re bombarded by bad news. If our minds stay fixed on the chaos, our hearts will follow into fear. Isaiah 26:3 gives the key: keep your mind stayed on God. That might mean turning off the constant stream of negative headlines and instead filling your heart with God’s encouraging promises.

Perfect peace is like noise-canceling headphones in a crowded, chaotic airport. The noise is still there, but it no longer controls what you hear or how you feel. God’s peace doesn’t remove every problem—it guards your heart so the trouble around you can’t shake the trust within you.

Jesus put it this way:

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27 ESV)

That’s a peace you can personally claim—apply it to your situation, believe it no matter how things look, and meditate on it until it settles deep into your heart.

Therefore

Peace isn’t found in the absence of trouble, but in the presence of God. Keep your focus on Him, speak His promises over your life, and trust Him completely. The storm may still rage, but your heart can be as calm as a glassy lake—because the One who commands the wind and the waves is holding you.

“I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16 ESV)

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7 ESV)

“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7 NKJV)

This short verse—just nineteen words—is worth committing to memory. In it, we find three powerful truths, which are also promises:

1. God is good.

2. God is a stronghold in the day of trouble.

3. God knows those who trust in Him.

A stronghold is a place of safety

It’s a fortress that enemies cannot easily penetrate. In ancient times, people fled to walled cities or mountain fortresses when danger came. David often hid in the strongholds of the wilderness when King Saul pursued him (1 Samuel 23:14). Those strongholds gave him rest, safety, and time to regroup.

Today, our stronghold isn’t a physical fortress

It’s the unshakable character of God. When storms hit, when bad news arrives, when life feels like it’s falling apart, we don’t have to search for a hiding place; our refuge is the Lord Himself.

Think of it like a tornado shelter

When the sirens go off, you don’t stand in the yard hoping the storm misses you—you run to the shelter, confident it will protect you. Or picture a bank vault: thick walls, impenetrable doors, designed to keep what’s inside safe from harm. God is far more secure than any vault, fortress, or shelter—He is the ultimate refuge.

Additional References

• “The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps and delivers them; He rescues and saves them from the wicked, because they take refuge in Him.” (Psalm 37:39–40)

• “I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me.” (John 10:14)

Therefore

When trouble comes, don’t run to worry, fear, or self-reliance—run to the Stronghold. Pray honestly. Rest in His goodness. Trust that He knows you by name, sees your need, and will protect and sustain you. A fortress is only helpful if you enter it; in the same way, the Lord’s protection is experienced when we place ourselves fully in His care.

“For the LORD is good, and His loving devotion endures forever; His faithfulness continues to all generations.” (Psalm 100:5)

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

Recently, my wife Susan called our bank to make sure enough funds had been deposited into our account to cover the bills she planned to pay. Once she was assured the money was there, she didn’t hesitate—she sat down and confidently wrote the checks.

A Deposit Has Been Made to Your Account!

In the same way, you never need to fear coming before God as though you might not “have enough” to be accepted. Spiritually speaking, your account was empty—but Jesus stepped in and made an infinite, non-refundable, never-overdrawn deposit of righteousness into your life. Because of His finished work, you can walk right into the throne room of grace and “receive mercy and find grace to help you in your time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

We May Approach Boldly with Confidence

The payment is complete. The account is full. The door is open. You can approach God without fear, without shame, and without hesitation—knowing you will always find mercy, grace, and help exactly when you need it.

“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him.” (Ephesians 3:12 ESV)

Therefore

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:19–24 NIV)

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

Words Are Important

The old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” is simply not true. Words do hurt and can cause lasting damage. I have spoken words in haste or in anger and immediately wished I could take them back—but I couldn’t. The harm had already been done.

Speaking in haste is like squeezing toothpaste from a tube—it comes out quickly and easily, but you can never put it back in. The Bible warns us that rash words can pierce like a sword, while wise words bring healing:

Rash words are like sword thrusts

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18 ESV)

Our words don’t just wound—they also have the power to bring life or death:

Death and life are in the power of the tongue

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” (Proverbs 18:21 ESV)

When emotions run high, a gentle response can change the entire outcome of a conversation:

A soft answer turns away wrath

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1 ESV)

And when we choose kindness, our words can refresh and strengthen the soul:

Gracious words bring health

“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” (Proverbs 16:24 ESV)

Therefore

Once words leave our mouths, like toothpaste from a tube, they can’t be taken back. That’s why Scripture urges us to think before we speak, letting the Holy Spirit guide our tone and timing. As followers of Christ, our goal is to speak in a way that builds up, heals wounds, and points others toward Him—leaving behind a blessing instead of regret.

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29 ESV)

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV)

It’s Always Been Easy for Me

I’m a “type A” personality. So after I became a Christian, it came naturally to share my faith with others. I was excited about knowing Jesus, and I talked about Him to everyone I met.

But this wasn’t the case with my wife, Susan. She’s a more private “type B” person, and sharing her faith didn’t come easily to her. However, it wasn’t impossible. One day, she found herself seated across the table from another woman just like her—another “type B” personality. As they talked, the conversation gently turned toward knowing God. To her surprise, Susan began to share her faith with a very receptive listener.

That day, Susan realized something important: being effective in sharing Jesus doesn’t require a specific personality type. It starts with a willing heart (which she had) and a readiness to respond when asked. Scripture says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15)

Susan had taken the time to learn key Bible verses about how to know and receive Christ personally, so when the opportunity arose, she was prepared.

Someone once said

“Sharing your faith is simply one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.”

Make the Most of Every Opportunity

“Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.” (Col. 4:5 NLT)

For Such a Time as This

“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 ESV)

Be Ready In Season and Out of Season

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” (2 Tim. 4:2 ESV)

Therefore

“You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” (2 Tim. 2:2 NIV)

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.” (Psalm 37:4–6 ESV)

Anything my heart desires?

When I first read this passage and saw the phrase, “He will give you the desires of your heart,” I thought, Wow! How can that be? My desires are usually self-centered, to say the least. It seemed to say I could have anything my heart desires!

But upon closer examination

I noticed the conditions included in the surrounding verses:

1. Delight yourself in the Lord

2. Commit your way to the Lord

3. Trust in Him

This combination does something remarkable

It transforms your desires. When you truly delight in the Lord and commit your way to Him, trusting Him fully, your desires begin to align with His will. Then, when He gives you the desires of your heart, they reflect what He already wants for you.

Trust with all your heart

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3:5–6)

Strength and help

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” (Psalm 28:7 ESV)

Therefore

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jer. 17:7–8 WSV)