Thursday, March 5, 2026

SOL 5/31 & SJT: Strength from Songs and Scripture

 
With thanks to Leigh Anne Eck for hosting this month on the theme of strength. Check out Leigh Anne's post here where you can find links to posts from other members of our Spiritual Journey Thursday community.
 
This post is doing double duty with Slice of Life and Spiritual Journey Thursday. I think I was inspired to make this collection by Kim Johnson who is writing cento poems this month. 

As I pondered on our theme of strength for this month, I collected scriptures that emphasized strength. I'll share some of those with you. I also looked to the words of hymns which always strengthen my soul. I found a YouTube collection of Hymns for Peace, Strength, and Hope by Rosemary Siemens. Many of the words from Rosemary's collection of hymns found their way into my collection. I've put the song segments in blue. I am grateful for the strength provided through scripture and song from my Savior, as well as the strength provided by the members of our Spiritual Journey Thursday community.

"The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace." (Psalm 29:11) 

"When sorrows like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say

It is well, it is well with my soul." (It Is Well with My Soul)

"Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest."(Joshua 1:9)

"The Lord is my light; then why should I fear?

By day and by night his presence is near." (The Lord is My Light)

"Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually." (1 Chronicles 16:11) 

"I need thee every hour, In joy or pain. 

Come quickly and abide, Or life is vain." (I Need Thee Every Hour)

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped. (Psalm 28:7) 

"I'm so glad I learned to trust Him,Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;And I know that He is with me,Will be with me to the end." ('Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus)

"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage and he shall strengthen thine heart." (Psalm 27:14)

"This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long."  (Blessed Assurance)

"The Lord is my strength and my song." (Exodus 15:12) 

This is my fifteenth year participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge, writing every day during the month of March. Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for creating this challenge and providing the space and support for us year after year. And thanks to this magnificent community for sharing stories with me and encouraging my writing life. 

9 comments:

  1. I love this mashup of scripture and songs. The story behind the hymn "It is Well" is so powerful, too.

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  2. Ramona, it often amazes me that there are people who think they can do it all on their own. That they have the strength within themselves. They don't realize where that strength comes from. Yes, our strength comes from God. We continually need to seek it and ask Him for it. Bob

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  3. “It is Well with my Soul” always makes me cry. I sang it in our choir and looked over at our director and he was sobbing. Worship through song touches my soul and my heart.

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  4. Diane(newtreemom)
    These verses are ones to be memorized and tucked into our hearts because we need them so often. The hymns, too. I feel so blessed that when I was growing up we had hymnals and sang the great hymns over and over. I can still sing so many by heart.

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  5. Thank you for sharing such a grounding and peaceful collection! I enjoyed just reading through them. And 15 years, wow! Bravo.

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  6. Thanks for all the wonderful reminders of God's presence with us at all times.

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  7. Ramona: Thank you for these verses and songs. "It is Well with my Soul" is a favorite for me also. There is something about music... the universal language... it reaches deep inside. Thanks again.

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  8. Ramona, your SJT reflection is one that benefits me as well as you. I sat last night finishing my post listening to spiritual music. I added the link so everyone could benefit from the gentle songs. I also like that you shared with Leigh Anne that we should have a Zoom session. I think we spoke about that a while ago. I would like that. Maybe we could even pen a community poem. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  9. Wait on the Lord -- that's always been a passage I turn to. And then I was struck by "The Lord waits on us." Both give me strength. Thank you for sharing these, Ramona.

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