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
Susan from Greensburg:
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed.” Isaiah 54:10 NIV
Sheila, Bethesda. But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5 (NASB)
Mary Beth, St. Louis,MO
“For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.”
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Traci from Evansdale, IA
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
II Corinthians 4:16 NIV 2011
Kim K., Columbus, OH area
Hebrews 6:19
New King James Version (NKJV)
19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,
Gina Rosamond, Ca
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Ephesians 6:11 NIV
Darla, Pittsburgh PA
Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins. You will raise up age-old foundations, and you will be called the ‘repairer of the breach’; the restorer of the streets in which to dwell. Isaiah 58:12 NIV
Brandi K
Cape Girardeau, MO
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and greater works, because I am going to be with the Father”
John 14:12 NLT
Kelley, La Verne. Psalm 18:29 For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall! ESV
Jen (Prosper, TX)
The righteous person faces many troubles,
But the LORD comes to the rescue each time.
Psalm 34:19
Cara – Fridley, MN
Lord, my heart is not proud;
my eyes are not haughty.
I donāt concern myself with matters too great
or too awesome for me to grasp.
Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself,
like a weaned child who no longer cries for its motherās milk.
Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, put your hope in the Lordā
now and always.
Psalm 131, NLT
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
– Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)
jeremiah 29:13
“you will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”
note: vs 10 re: end of 70 yrs of captivity & vs 11 re: God’s plans to give a future & hope
Stann
Frisco, TX
Do not be wise in your own eyes;fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Proverbs 3:7 NASB
Diana, North Attleboro, MA
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)
Connie, Chariton, praying for you. James 2:16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled.” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? James 2:16 NKJV
Patti – Colorado
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed; for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
Christy, Conifer, Colorado
Acts 2:42-47 NIV
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Praying for you, dear Beth! And your precious family!!!
Michele Powell, Nampa, Idaho
Psalm 103:4 (NIV)
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
Judy, Oswego, NY
Psalm 62:8 NIV: trust in Him at all times, Judy, pour out your heart to Him, for God is your refuge.
Julia, Flower Mound, TX
Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.
Proverbs 17:1 NIV
Holbrook, New York
Let your speech always be with grace,as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 4:6 NASB
Kathy, Lake Jackson, TX
Make my steps steady through Your promise;
don’t let any sin dominate me.
Psalm 119:133 HCSB
Nancy Coffey from Barboursville WV
“With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation.”
~ Isaiah 12:3, NLT
Bethany, Frisco, TX
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Woodstock, Ga.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper then any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joint and marrow: it judges thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
Joan Portage, MI
“The Sovereign LORD has given me well-instructed tongue to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.” Isaiah 50:4 NIV
Kelly from Denver…
The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.
Proverbs 16:9
NRSV
Deborah, Hartsville,SC; “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NASB
Sarah Whitt, Fort Worth tx
“Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.”
Ephesians 5:33 NASB
Kendra Husband, Charlotte, NC,
2 Samuel 14:14
“Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But God does not take away life; instead, he devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from him.” (NIV)
Barbara Severns, Eagle, Idaho
Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God; let Thy good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Psalm 143:10 NASB
Jo, Columbia, MO
Psalm 116 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord : ā Lord, save me!ā
The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me.
Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.
For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
I trusted in the Lord when I said, āI am greatly afflictedā; in my alarm I said, āEveryone is a liar.ā
What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.
Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my mother did; you have freed me from my chains.
I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord.
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord ā in your midst, Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord. (Psalm 116:1-19 NIV)
Cher Goeder, Toledo, Ohio
John 15:16 NIV – You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name.”
Sue, Standish, ME
Galatians 5:22-23 NAS
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Jody from Traverse City, MI
He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
~Psalm 91:15 (NIV)
Jessica from Clare, MI
He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
~Psalm 91:15 (NIV)
Jen from Wyoming
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26 NIV
Judy from Gladwin, MI
He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
~Psalm 91:15 (NIV)
Andrea; Cartersville, Ga: “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” Hebrews 13:15 ESV
Fay, Springfield, NO
2 Timothy 1:7 NOT
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
Jennifer from West Palm Beach, FL
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance.” Romans 5:3 ESV
Teresa, Orange City. …so that the righteous requirement of the law may be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:4-5 NET
Jane
Houston, Texas
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
Romans 3:23 (NIV)
Christy from Holland, MI
“Be careful what you think, because your thoughts rule your life.” Proverbs 4:23
Lakeisha, Mays Landing, NJ. John 16:33 NIV
āI have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.ā
Diane Miller, Longmont, CO
Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Luke 8:47 NIV
Amy — St. Pete, FL
1 Samuel 17:45 NRSV
“But David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.'”
Norfolk, VA
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
NIV
Ally from Searcy, AR
Psalm 45:11
The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord.