Cozy Bible

Weekend Edition Sunday reported the story of a new genre of crime literature last Sunday: Cozy Mysteries. Think Murder She Wrote for a new generation. It got me thinking that I need Cozy Bible these days.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

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.

Come to me, all who are weary and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Sometimes we need to wrap ourselves in these words of comfort. Sometimes we need cozy Bible.

Dr. Phyllis Trible famously wrote a book about the least cozy verses in Scripture and I know all those. Jesus said some discomfitting words that push me to address things I wish I didn’t have to address. Just as the Biblical world was a disturbing and cruel place, our world today is terribly disturbing and cruel.

And yet there is hope and beauty and comfort.

Just as true crime – and the books and movies that portray it – can be bloodstained and gruesome, it’s good to know that there are mysteries available today that involve cake and home decorating for those who need cozy. Sometimes we all need cozy.

(But then we need to study the uncomfortable bits too.)

Image from a scripture quilt you can purchase on Etsy here.