Introduction
In Japan, April marks the start of the year: company entrance ceremonies, job transfers, new studies, moves and first apartments of one's own. Many people begin a new life in an unfamiliar city or workplace. Excitement is sometimes mixed with loneliness, and in May some fall into what the Japanese call "May sickness" (gogatsu-byō), a spring slump. For a Christian, finding a nearby church is also part of the preparation. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, are grouped into four themes: protection in a new place, loneliness, hope for a fresh start, and rest in the midst of worry and weariness. Use them in a farewell card or your own prayer.
Kept in a New Place
1. Psalm 16:8
"I have set Yahweh always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."
I have set Yahweh always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved, sings the psalmist. In a room in a new neighborhood, in an unfamiliar city, you can walk with God set before you. Sensing that he is at your right hand on unknown roads gives great assurance. Read all of Psalm 16.
2. Proverbs 16:9
"A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps."
A man's heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps, says the proverb. A transfer or new studies, chosen or not, God directs your steps. Even for an assignment that does not match your wishes, believe in his direction and begin your day in this new place. Read all of Proverbs 16.
3. Psalm 73:23-24
"Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand. You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory."
I am continually with you, you have held my right hand; you will guide me with your counsel, confesses the psalmist. In a new job there are days when you feel inadequate and behind everyone else. Yet God holds your hand, and he does not let go. When you hesitate, ask for his counsel. Read all of Psalm 73.
4. Psalm 25:4-5
"Show me your ways, Yahweh. Teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth, and teach me, For you are the God of my salvation, I wait for you all day long."
Show me your ways, Yahweh, teach me your paths, guide me in your truth, the psalmist prays. In a new position or school, when you do not know where to start, this prayer fits. Not only for big decisions: get into the habit of consulting God about the small choices of each day. Read all of Psalm 25.
5. Psalm 121:5-6
"Yahweh is your keeper. Yahweh is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night."
Yahweh is your keeper; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night, says the psalm. From the packed morning train to the late return home, your day is covered by Yahweh. This verse is especially for those who live alone, far from loved ones. Read all of Psalm 121.
In Loneliness
6. Psalm 68:6
"God sets the lonely in families. He brings out the prisoners with singing, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land."
God sets the lonely in families, says the psalm. Right after a move, both the room and the city feel foreign. God prepares a place for the lonely. Going to worship at a church near you may be the start of that place. Take that first step. Read all of Psalm 68.
7. Psalm 27:10
"When my father and my mother forsake me, then Yahweh will take me up."
When my father and my mother forsake me, then Yahweh will take me up, sings the psalmist. These words touch especially those who live far from their families. Even far from your own, God never leaves you alone. Talk to your family by phone, and talk to God too: let these two supports carry you in your new life. Read all of Psalm 27.
8. John 14:18
"I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you."
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you, Jesus promises. In a new place you can feel that nobody knows you. Yet Jesus is with you by his Spirit. In the evening, when you are alone in your room, that is exactly the moment to remember this verse. Read all of John 14.
9. Matthew 28:20
"teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen."
Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age, Jesus said. Whether you move, are transferred or change countries, this promise stays the same. Wherever you live, Jesus is there. As you open the door of your new home, say this verse and begin your new life in prayer. Read all of Matthew 28.
10. Psalm 25:16
"Turn to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and afflicted."
Turn to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and afflicted, the psalmist prays. This is a prayer that admits loneliness honestly. There is no need to act strong: God hears the one who acknowledges isolation. Even what you cannot tell anyone, tell God first. Read all of Psalm 25.
Hope for a Fresh Start
11. Isaiah 43:19
"Behold, I will do a new thing. It springs out now. Don’t you know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."
Behold, I will do a new thing; I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, says God. A new environment can look like a wilderness. Yet God prepares a road there. In the midst of worry, try to see that God has already begun something new. Read all of Isaiah 43.
12. 2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new."
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away, Paul proclaims. April's fresh start can also be, in faith, a start as a new person. Do not be held back by your failures or old habits; begin in Christ. Read all of 2 Corinthians 5.
13. Philippians 3:13-14
"Brothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do: forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal, writes Paul. Even if something went wrong in your old job or school, you do not have to stay there. Move forward step by step. God gives courage to leave the past. Read all of Philippians 3.
14. Ecclesiastes 3:11
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can’t find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end."
He has made everything beautiful in its time, says Ecclesiastes. If your change of job, city or studies did not go the way you wanted, there is still room to trust God's timing. What you cannot see yet will one day have a beautiful meaning. Do not hurry; take good care of today. Read all of Ecclesiastes 3.
15. Romans 12:11
"not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;"
Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, Paul urges. Wanting to give your all in a new job is precious. But zeal is sustained not only by your strength but by the Spirit's. Put prayer and worship as the foundation of your work and studies. Read all of Romans 12.
Rest in the Midst of Worry and Weariness
16. Matthew 11:28-30
"“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”"
Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest, Jesus invites. A new life is joyful but also a chain of tensions. When you are tired from new relationships or a new job, do not endure alone: come to Jesus and rest. This invitation holds for the May slump too. Read all of Matthew 11.
17. Psalm 23:2-3
"He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake."
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul, sings the psalmist. Even in busy days God has prepared a place to rest your soul. Sunday worship is one. Find a church in your new city and get into the habit of resting your heart there. Read all of Psalm 23.
18. Psalm 138:3
"In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul."
In the day that I called, you answered me; you encouraged me with strength in my soul, the psalmist gives thanks. In the anxious days of a new life, God answers prayer. Even if the situation does not change at once, the soul is strengthened. Write the small answers to your prayers in a notebook. Read all of Psalm 138.
19. Psalm 116:7
"Return to your rest, my soul, for Yahweh has dealt bountifully with you."
Return to your rest, my soul, for Yahweh has dealt bountifully with you, the psalmist tells his own soul. When your heart is agitated by busy days, call your soul back to calm with this verse. Before sleeping, present your day to God and take a moment to find peace again. Read all of Psalm 116.
20. Psalm 32:7
"You are my hiding place. You will preserve me from trouble. You will surround me with songs of deliverance."
You are my hiding place; you will preserve me from trouble, confesses the psalmist. When other people's eyes and evaluations tire you in a new environment, there is a shelter with God. There, nobody asks for results or compares you. Come back there when you are weary and receive new strength. Read all of Psalm 32.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bible verse suits someone starting a new life?
Psalm 121 and Proverbs 16:9, which says Yahweh directs a man's steps, are often chosen. For someone lonely after a move, Jesus' promise to be with us always is also an encouragement.
How can I find a church in a new city?
Search online for your neighborhood's name together with "church." Look at the denomination, the service times and the atmosphere, then simply come to a service. You can also ask your former pastor to recommend a church in your new area.
Does the Bible help when you have the May slump?
Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened," can calm the heart. But if the suffering continues, do not keep it to yourself: talk to someone you trust or to a specialist service.