I can think of no better way to encourage your graduate, college or high school, with verses from the Bible filled with promises. God loves each of them so dearly and longs to have a personal relationship. Your inclusion of Bible verses may encourage this generation to look to God for their answers, return to Him if they have strayed away, or seek Him out if they don’t know much about Him.
I have to begin with the verse that declares God’s destiny for those who believe in Christ. This is the verse we included on the back of our son’s graduation reception announcement.
I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a hope and a future. ~Jeremiah 29:11
There is another verse of comfort and hope for those who put their trust in God. The entire 91st Psalm is appropriate, but the first two verses are appropriate for a card or letter.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most high will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” ~Psalm 91:1-2
Another Psalm takes us right to the heart of successful living in the will of God. It serves as an admonition and a challenge for any graduate.
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. ~Psalm 1:1-3
A prescription for a joyful life was written by Paul in the New Testament book of Philippians. Philippians 4 offers specific direction for the good life, and a way to live in peace amid the turmoil of the times in which we live.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. ~Philippians 4:4-8
Paul wrote additional words in the book of Philippians that will inspire graduates who have experienced either past success or failure. It encourages them to let go of the past and move ahead in the will of God.
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 3:13-14
When trials of life come, as they will, graduates need to know Bible verses that assure them God has not lost sight of them, and He is still in control.
And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ~Romans 8:28
In the highs and lows of life, there is assurance in Christ. The following Bible verses, also from Romans 8, give assurance that the life in Christ will not be torn from His hand or heart.
He who did not spare His own Son , but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who dies, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
…But in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is Christ Jesus our Lord. ~Romans 8:31-35, 37-39
Remind the graduate, through a well-known Bible verse that this is just the beginning of a life-long walk with God and the fulfillment of His will. Once again, in Philippians, Paul offers encouraging words.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect in until the day of Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 1:6
Sometimes, there is sometimes timidity as graduates face a daunting world of work, college, or graduate school. It’s easy to fill like you are somehow tagging along behind society. That is not true. In fact, young people are the hope of tomorrow, the light for our future. Paul, in his letter to Timothy, a young pastor, shared a Bible verse upon which every young believer can stand.
Let no man despise thy youth, but be an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.
~1 Timothy 4:12
As we challenge and encourage graduates to take on the world and embark on new and exciting adventures, offer this one Bible verse to ground them in their faith. There are many opportunities in the world, some for good, and others for evil. Keeping these verses in mind and living them your graduate will be prepared for a life of success and adventure in Christ.
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you useful and fruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ…..~2 Peter 1: 5-8
