Max Munday, Carmel, Llanelli

It is always useful to reflect back on Bible verses that have been a source of guidance and/or comfort in the past.  Too often, I forget how I have been helped by the scriptures in so many different circumstances. The rather daunting ‘trial’ of the Desert Island Verses podcast via The Christian Podcast Network was a valuable trigger to go back and look at what had spoken to me, and indeed still does speak to me.

Which verses would you take to the desert island?

"…Son of man, can these bones live?" And I answered, "O Lord God, Thou knowest." Again he said unto me, "Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live…" Ezekiel 37:1-14

There is much light in this portion, but the question, “Can these bones live?” in v3 has always cheered my heart. While the portion has a particular context in the Old Testament it points to the power of our God, and what He can do with weak human agents, making us into an exceeding great army. It is a blessing to see how God views us, and how he can use us.

Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither… Genesis 19:22

You might think this is a strange verse, but this piece of scripture tells us so much about the promises of God to His people. Here, God is pleading with Lot to remove himself from the coming destruction of the cities, but it is the middle part of the verse that always speaks to me: “I cannot do anything till thou be come thither.” God has committed to save Lot out of the city and will not make a move until Lot is safe and sound. His care for the individual, stumbling saint here is a great comfort to me.

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37

The verses that spoke to me before I became a Christian were very much tied to sermons that I had heard, I became a Christian in 1984. Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones had passed away in 1981, it was a cassette sermon of his in Acts which really showed me my need of Christ. In particular, the Dr stressed from Acts 2:37 how those hearing Peter’s sermon were ‘pricked in their hearts’, and their immediate response was, “What shall we do?” I identified fully with the original hearers, and listened to the Dr again and again on this passage. He, as Peter before, spelled out clearly the solution for me.

Fear not, for I am with thee. I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west… Isaiah 43:5

Although I did not know it at the time, my sister who became a Christian before me had, during 1984, had a promise concerning my family from Isaiah 43:5. This was literally fulfilled as my brother, my younger sister and I, were all brought from the south east of England, and were saved in the west of the country.

And Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, I pray Thee, open his eyes; that he may see.” And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17

I am running out of space but another verse that would be in my pocket on the island would be 2 Kings 6:17. Being of a fearful and doubting temperament I love this passage in Kings. Consequently, seemingly alone on a desert island, I am comforted knowing that the Lord’s angels are around and about.

Who would you like to find on the island for company?

I do not think I would be very good company for whoever would be there. This is so difficult. With so many Christians who I would like to see on the island, I would probably keep putting my foot in it every time I started to speak. However, if I saw the smiling face of Jim Elliot striding out of the undergrowth, there would be good spiritual company, and someone who could help with the day to day practical issues on the island. The account of that work in Ecuador and the willingness to risk all left a deep impression on the heart of a new believer.

Which song would you take to the island?

Even more difficult is which song I would take… I am not musical at all. From the hymn book, a much loved hymn is ‘Show me Thy face, one transient gleam’ and that would be the one that would help me most in enforced exile. I notice that the powers which be have been a bit mean in terms of the ‘luxury’ one would take. Clearly, this needs remedying urgently. In my case, this would around 10,000 hectares of the West coast of Scotland in which to walk and reflect on the few verses with me. You cannot have a desert island without some decent hills.

Show me Thy face! - one transient gleam,
of loveliness divine,
and I shall never think or dream
of other love save Thine;
All lesser light will darken quite,
all lower glories wane;
The beautiful of earth will scarce
seem beautiful again.

Show me Thy face! - my faith and love
shall henceforth fixed be,
and nothing here have power to move

my soul's serenity;

My life shall seem a trance, a dream,

and all I feel and see,
illusive, visionary - Thou

the one reality!

Show me Thy face! - I shall forget

the weary days of yore;

The fretting ghosts of vain regret

shall haunt my soul no more;

All doubts and fears for future years

in quiet rest subside,

and nought but blest content and calm

within my breast abide.

Show me Thy face! - the heaviest cross

will then seem light to bear;

There will be gain in every loss,

and peace with every care;

With such light feet the years will fleet,

life seem as brief as blest,

till I have laid my burden down,

and entered into rest.

Anonymous

Mark Fisher, East Hanney, Oxfordshire

If I were cast away to a desert island, I’d need to cling on to eternal truths that would give me endurance and resilience, even in this seemingly hopeless situation. I’d pick verses that set glorious, timeless realities before me; and if I could only have a few, perhaps I’d take one from each of my favourite chapters. These would give me perspective, comfort and encouragement, even on a grim and desolate island far, far away:

Which verses would you take to the desert island?

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

Sin would still be my greatest enemy on this island, so I’d need to be reminded of God’s boundless mercy and grace. Psalm 103 portrays that grace so beautifully, and what a lovely picture v12 paints. To think that my sins have been permanently parted from me, to an infinite distance, so that they can never doom and condemn me – that is a most precious thought indeed! It’s as though they’ve been banished away to a faraway place and can never be retrieved.

He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him; and by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

This verse would remind me of the cost of my forgiveness. What a staggering thing it is, that the Son of God received on Himself all the suffering and punishment that I deserve! Meditating on the cross of Christ is so essential, whether on a far-flung desert island or safe at home, as it shows me how great God’s love is, how precious Christ is, and where my hope is to be found.

Most assuredly, I say to you, He who believes in Me has everlasting life. John 6:47

I love the simplicity of Christ’s promises in this chapter, and v47 is perhaps the simplest of all. Whatever doubts and fears may assail me, I can hold on to this – the Lord Jesus promises eternal life to all who trust in Him. What a wonderful thing to remember when cast down, conscious of sin or oppressed by the evil one (or cast away on an island!) – in Christ, I have a gift beyond all value that can never be snatched away: everlasting life!

I am persuaded that neither death nor life … nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God that is Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39

It’s very hard to pick out just one verse from this chapter. It’s so full of precious gems: that there’s no condemnation in Christ, that present sufferings aren’t worthy to be compared with future glory, that all things work together for good… But what a comfort the closing verses would be on a desert island, or any other bleak situation in life. To know that there is not a single power, affliction or circumstance that can ever drive a wedge between me and my Saviour’s love – that’s a magnificent confidence to have!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1:3

Being on a desert island wouldn’t seem like a very “blessed” situation. But this chapter tells me that whatever my earthly lot may be, I am astoundingly privileged in the Lord Jesus Christ. Chosen, adopted, accepted, redeemed, enlightened, made an heir and sealed – since those things are true of me (by grace), I have no grounds for moaning and grumbling, but plenty of reason for praise!

I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Revelation 21:1

This verse would remind me that I wouldn’t be stuck on the island forever. In any distressing situation, I can look ahead with eagerness to the perfect new creation that’s coming one day. The thought of my future home – free from tears, death, sorrow, crying and pain – gives much needed perspective to all that’s happening in the present. And on a desert island, I’m sure the thought of “no more sea” would be particularly welcome!

Who would you like to find on the island for company?

That would have to be C.H. Spurgeon – his deep love for Christ, wise counsel and warm humour would be ideal for a situation like this!

Which song would you take to the island?

Charles Wesley has a wonderful way of combining truth and experience in his hymns, so I’d pick one of his. Since ‘And can it be’ (my favourite) has already been chosen, I’ll go for ‘Jesu, Lover of my soul’. This would remind me of the security, shelter and all-sufficient grace that are to be found in Christ, even when cast away on a remote desert island.

Jesu', Lover of my soul,

Let me to Thy bosom fly,

While the nearer waters roll,

While the tempest still is high:

Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,

Till the storm of life be past;

Safe into the haven guide;

O receive my soul at last!

Other refuge have I none;

Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;

Leave, ah! Leave me not alone,

Still support and comfort me:

All my trust on Thee is stayed,

All my help from Thee I bring;

Cover my defenceless head

With the shadow of Thy wing.

Thou, O Christ, art all I want;

More than all in Thee I find;

Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,

Heal the sick, and lead the blind:

Just and holy is Thy Name,

I am all unrighteousness;

False and full of sin I am,

Thou art full of truth and grace.

Plenteous grace with Thee is found,

Grace to cover all my sin;

Let the healing streams abound,

Make and keep me pure within:

Thou of life the fountain art,

Freely let me take of Thee;

Spring Thou up within my heart,

Rise to all eternity.