My Dear Sisters, just as I was writing this post to you, a family urgency arose and I’m not going to be able to finish it. I’ve erased it and, in its place, put the segment of Scripture that I shared today in staff time before I got news of a serious family need. By faith, I choose to believe that this was what our gracious God wanted you to have today. It is a beautiful segment from Isaiah 41 that spoke very richly to us in staff and I pray will minister to you. (Vv.8-16) In it God is addressing Israel but, as you will see, many of the truths He speaks over them in this chapter concerning His heart toward them and His promise to help are echoed in the New Testament to believers under Christ’s new covenant.Ā If you have a more formal translation like the ESV, consider reading it first then below you’ll find the portion in Eugene Peterson’s translation, The Message. Its vivid language jumped out at me and really tended to my soul. My staff and I printed it out and circled parts of it that the Holy Spirit brought to life in our own hearts and minds and amid our own circumstances. We also wrote notes in the margins and reminders of other coinciding verses and then, in our closing prayer, we let the passages guide our intercessions. You might consider doing the same thing. The two simple words “don’t panic” leapt off the page at me. So did this: “I, God, want to reassure you.” Thank You, thank You, Lord.
Here it is and you’ll find my SSMT entry at the end of the post.
Isaiah 41:8-16 The Message
8ā10Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā āBut you, Israel, are my servant.
Youāre Jacob, my first choice,
descendants of my good friend Abraham.
I pulled you in from all over the world,
called you in from every dark corner of the earth,
Telling you, āYouāre my servant, serving on my side.
Iāve picked you. I havenāt dropped you.ā
Donāt panic. Iām with you.
Thereās no need to fear for Iām your God.
Iāll give you strength. Iāll help you.
Iāll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
11ā13Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā āCount on it: Everyone who had it in for you
will end up out in the coldā
real losers.
Those who worked against you
will end up empty-handedā
nothing to show for their lives.
When you go out looking for your old adversaries
you wonāt find themā
Not a trace of your old enemies,
not even a memory.
Thatās right. Because I, your GOD,
have a firm grip on you and Iām not letting go.
Iām telling you, āDonāt panic.
Iām right here to help you.ā
14ā16Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā āDo you feel like a lowly worm, Jacob?
Donāt be afraid.
Feel like a fragile insect, Israel?
Iāll help you.
I, GOD, want to reassure you.
The God who buys you back, The Holy of Israel.
Iām transforming you from worm to harrow,
from insect to iron.
As a sharp-toothed harrow youāll smooth out the mountains,
turn those tough old hills into loamy soil.
Youāll open the rough ground to the weather,
to the blasts of sun and wind and rain.
But youāll be confident and exuberant,
expansive in The Holy of Israel!
Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (Is 41:8ā16). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.
For my SSMT selection, this is the portion I have next in my memory work out of the Book of Colossians:
Beth, Houston. For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ. Colossians 2:1-2
I love you guys so much. Let’s press on with eyes of faith, Sisters. He who calls us is faithful!
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Sue – Troy, Michigan – “You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men who were not opposing you.” James 5:5-6 (NIV)
Barb from Wetumpka, AL
An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
Proverbs 12:25
NIV
Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. Proverbs 25:25 ESV Cheryl H., Huntington, WV (Praying for your family, Beth.)
Elizabeth, Broomfield, CO
The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me
Your love O LORD endures forever
Do not abandon the works of your hands.
Psalm 138:8 (NIV)
Kaye from Hamburg,AR
“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8 NIV)
Alyssa Mochen
Rio Rancho, MM
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Ephesians 3:20 NLT
“Be at rest once more, o my soul, for The Lord has been good to you.” Psalm 116:7 NIV
Tina from Chesapeake, VA – “My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only He will release my feet from the snare.” Psalm 25:15(NIV84)
Kim, Poplar Bluff, MO. “Serve only the LORD your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him.” Deuteronomy 13:4 (NLT)
Jennifer, Cullman, AL
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. (Luke 12:31 NLT)
Lori in Pine Island, MN
“Like newborn babies long for the pure milk of the Word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” 1 Peter 2:2. NASB
Tammy from Fort Myers, FL “Arrogance leads to nothing but strife, but wisdom is gained by those who take advice.” Proverbs 13:10 HCSB
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand and say to you: Do not fear, I will help you. Isaiah 41:13
Dee Dee Fernandina Beach, Florida That’s right. Because I, your God have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, ‘don’t panic. I’m right here to help you.’ Isaiah 41:13
Psalm 141:3 NIV
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Janene from Sibley, LA
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good:
for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 118:29 KJV
Sandi from Morristown TN
Micah 7:7 MSG
But me, I’m not giving up. I’m sticking around to see what God will do. I’m waiting on God to make things right. I’m counting on God to listen to me.
Janae – Riverside, PA Exodus 15:11(NLV) “Who is like You among the gods, O Lord? Who is like You, great and holy, praised in fear, doing powerful works.”
Sarah Miller. New Palestine, IN
From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (Psalm 61:2 NIV)
Lauren, Dedham, MA: “See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me!” Psalm 25:19 (NIV)
Mary, Atlanta – Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the
author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb. 11:2 (NIV)
Sarah, Christina and Esther May. Wenatchee, WA
” You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.”
James 4:2 NIV
“He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.” Proverbs 21:23 NIV84
Michelle O’Banion, Grandview TX 1 Thessalonians 2:4 HCSB
Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but rather God, who examines our hearts.
Caitlin, McKinney, Texas
“I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.” Jeremiah 10:23, NIV
Tina, Gahanna, Ohio
āHow great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 2 Samuel 7:22 NIV
I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. Ps. 62:1&2 NLT
Becky, Roswell, GA
“I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from Him.”
Psalm 62:1, NLT
Carol, Cashion, OK “Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” James 1:21-22 NASB
Luke 14:11 ESV
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Barbara, Medina
Michelle Baylerian, Waukesha, WI
As God’s chosen ones, holy & beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Col 3:12 NRSV
Lynette, Nashville, TN
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
Julie from Bristol, Tennessee
Proverbs 3:27,29-30 NIV
Do not withhold good, do not plot harm against your neighbor, do not accuse anyone for no reason.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6
dixie, santa monica, ca
Zechariah 2:5, ESV
And I will be “a wall of fire all around her, declares the LORD,
And I will be the glory in her midst.”
Dawn, Raleigh, NC, 1 Timothy 1:8, “We know that the law is good when used correctly.” NLT
Jan
Bemus Point, NY
Deuteronomy 33:29 (GNT)
Israel, how happy you are!
There is no one like you, a nation saved by the LORD.
The LORD himself is your shield and your sword, to defend you and give you victory.
Your enemies will come begging for mercy, and you will trample them down.
And in French:
Deuteronome 33:29 (Segond 21)
Que tu es hereux, Israel!
Qui es comme toi, un peuple sauve par l’Eternel?
Il est le bouclier qui te secourt, l’epee qui fait ta grandeur.
Tes ennemis te flatteront et toi, tu pietineras leurs hauteurs.
Kim Beechem from Idabel, OK:
“There is one body and one Spirit–just as you were called to one hope at your calling–one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6 (HCSB)
Debbie, Calgary AB,Canada
The LORD has established His throne in the heavens ,and His sovereignty rules over all
Psalm 103:19 NASB
Allison L. Tulsa, OK
Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 1 John 5:14, HCSB
Indianapolis, IN
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34 NIV84)
Shelley from Shiloh, IL: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Ashley Sullens
Kings Mountain, NC
Psalm 141:3 (NASB)
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Cindy, Biloxi, MS
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8 NIV
Julie, Madison, Ga
Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 43:3-5 ESV
Brenda – Hendersonville TN
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psa 32:8 NIV
Laura, Englewood. They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. Psalm 139:20
Nancilea, The Woodlands, TX
Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore. Psalm 86:11,12 NKJV
Judy
Panama City, Fl
Psalm 145:18 (NCV)
The LORD is close to everyone who prays to Him, to all who truly pray to Him.
Kari, Frisco, TX
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”
Psalm 119:105