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
Courtney, Lima, OH
Donāt be afraid, for I am with you. Donāt be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NLT)
But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 KJV
Cheryl, Houston “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those of who love him, who have been called according to His purpose”. Romans 8:28 NIV
Mary
Woodway, TX
“He heals those who have broken hearts.
He takes care of their wounds.”
Psalm 147:3 NIRV
Tracy
Andice, TX
“For all that is in the world-
the lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life –
is not of the Father but is of the world.”
1 John 2:16 NKJV
Misti, Brookshire, TX
Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18-19
Nancy Engberg from Minneapolis
So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
John 16:22
NIV
Connie, Pickerington, OH “Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” Isaiah 41:10 The Message
Bonnie, Alexandria, LA
“And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness-secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the One who calls you by name.” Isaiah 45:3 NLT
I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8 NIV
Cindy from Sisters Or says And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Phill 4:19 NIV
Odessa, TX
“How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in You.” Psalm 31:19 NIV
Tara from Bolingbrook,IL
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
James 1:2-3, ESV
Lesley, Clinton, MS
For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.
Deuteronomy 7:6 NLT
Lisa Riley from Sussex,Wi:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envoy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
1Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)
Cathy, Richmond, VA – Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart. Psalms 15:1-2 NIV
Janell- Frisco TX. For we are Godās masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)
Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
James 2:21 NIV
Hannah from Bolingbrook,IL
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:26, ESV
Heather, from Mckinney TX, “Put on your new nature, created to be like God- truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:24 NLT
Tyra, Atlanta
I will lift up my eyes to the hills-
From whence comes my help?
My help cones from the Lord,
Who made Heaven and Earth.
Psalm 121: 1-2 NKJV
I pray all is well with your family, Beth!
Jane, Gulfport, MS – “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:27 (NASB)
Kay, Sheridan
You will show me the path of life; In your presence is fullness of joy;
At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalms 16:11 NKJV
Betsy, LIncoln Park
“You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.” Psalm 91:13 NIV
Lisa, West Des Moines, IA “I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.” Psalm 3:5 (NLT)
Molly H. from Cypress, TX
“Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.”
Luke 9:23-24, NIV
Luke 18:27 – The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
Lynda from Ocala, FL: NIV 2 Corinthians 4:7. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Tammy H, Van, TX 1 Corinthians 14:12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. (NIV)
Psalm 43:3-5
English Standard Version (ESV)
3 Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling!
4 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.
5 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.
Leslie Crawley, Flagstaff, AZ
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus!” Philippians 1:6 (NASB)
Lezli. Oklahoma City, OK
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31, 32 NIV)
I was just under the wire in watching and participating in the simulcast! It was THE WORD for this very day and time. Beth, I have been praying for you and your family urgency all day, ever since I read early this morning. Just wanted you to know. Love, Holly
PS Isaiah 43:1-4 has been my theme of late. Perfect to see it many times throughout the simulcast!
Leslie Tatum Psalm 107:21 NIV Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.
Midge, Florence, SC/Atlanta This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
Psalm 34:6 (NASB)
Carmela Dominguez, Forney TX: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (Ephesians 1:11 KJV)
Tracy, Tangent, OR
NKJV Col 3:4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Karen J from Westminster, MD
Live by faith, not by sight.
II Corinthians 5:7 NIV
April lopez, Emmilianna Ferreria, bonneylake, wa
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 niv
Hannah, Miramar Beach. For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the Heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NASB)
Jenna, cedar Park, tx
Romans 5:5 NIV
And hope does not put us to shame, because Godās love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Janet,Longmont,CO,
“But as for you, be strong and do not give up,
for your work will be rewarded.”
II Chronicles 15:7 NIV
Sarah, Montrose:
When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.
Psalm 61:2 (NKJV)
Heather Wilkinson
Springfield, VA
Col 1:9b-10 (NIV)
We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
Stephanie, La Habra, CA “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.” Psalms 71:18 NIV
Paige ATL NLT
Isaiah 51:15b,16
My name is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely in my hand. I stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth. I am the one who says to Israel, ‘You are my people!'”
Missie, Marble Falls, TX
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything praiseworthy, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 ESV
Rachel Owasso, OK
Isaiah 41:14 The Message
Do 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.
Mitzi from Midland, TX
āHoly, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!ā
Revelation 4:8 ESV
Eva, Knoxville- (cont.) For man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:20 (NIV)