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 – Statesville, NC
I will praise the Lord who counsels me;
Even at night my heart instructs me.
I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With Him at my right hand I will not be shaken.
Ps. 16:7,8
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way.
When he falls he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord
Is the one who holds his hand.
Ps. 37:23-24 NASB
Wendy Fort Walton Beach, FL
Col 3:23 NLT
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Mauriceville, Texas
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Linda, Little Rock, AR As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. Psalm 42:1 NASB
Denise, Hernando Beach, FL
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). Romans 15:13 NIV
Canyon L. VA
Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding,who obey his word. Ps 103:20 (NIV)
Melissa, St. Mary’s County, MD “For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
[2] That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;” Colossians 2:1-2 KJV
Monroe,Ga.
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure-pressed down, shaken together, and running over-will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:37, 38 HCSB)
Allison, Huntsville, TX
JAMES 5:1-4 NIV
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.
Vanessa from Victoria, Texas,
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. (Psalm 32:1 NIV)
Angie Smith, Waxhaw, NC
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. (Isaiah 41:8-10 MSG)
Kristin, Searcy. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. Psalm 94:19 (NKJV)
Melody
Myrtle Beach, SC
“Let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful.” Colossians 3:15 CEV
Kay Martin
Tupelo, MS
“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them–the LORD who remains faithful forever.” Psalm 146:5-6 NIV
Judy, Beaumont, California
Therefore let us deaw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NAS
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”
Mark 8.35 (NKJV)
Sue, Texarkana, Tx
” Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philppians 3:13-14 NIV
Sweet Beth – I’m praying for you in your family emergency need
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16 NIV)
Joan G Allentown, PA You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 ESV
Leigh, Woodway, TX
May you have power with all Godās people to understand Christās love. May you know how wide and long and high and deep it is.Ā And may you know his love, even though it canāt be known completely. Then you will be filled with everything God has for you.
Ephesians 3:18-19 (NIRV)
Deb in Windsor, CT:
“From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.” – John 1:16, NIV
Linda, Delray Beach, FL
“Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart
with the imperishable beauty of a quiet and gentle spirit,
which in God’s sight is very precious.” 1Peter 3:4 NIV
Lisa Brouwer from Sioux Falls, SD
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirableāif anything is excellent or praiseworthyāthink about such things. ~ Phil 4:8 (NIV)
Cindy Cannon, Otterville, IL
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalms 118:24 (NIV)
Laura
San Antonio, TX
James 5:12-15 NASB
But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but let your yes be yes, and your no be no; so that you may not fall under judgement. Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins they will be forgiven him.
So let’s not Let ourselves get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up or quit. Galatians 6:9
Susan
Jersey Village, TX
“Because of the Lord’s great love w
we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail,
They are new every morning;
Great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22,23
NIV
Nancy, Grand Haven, MI
This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
Olda, Huntsville
Since ancient times no one has heard or perceived,no eye has seen any God besides you,who intervenes for those who wait for him. Ā Isaiah 64:4 (The NET Bible)
Martha, Georgetown, 1 Thess 5:16-18, NLT, “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Tiffany, Summerville, SC “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”. Matthew 5:8 NIV
Jean ~ Lebanon, Tennessee
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”
Psalm 32:7 NIV
O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in You.
Psalm 84:12
Bombey from Bellaire, TX
We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Daniel 9:18b NIV84
Kandi from Tallahassee, Florida
Call to me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 NASB
Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)
Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Karen in Norfolk, VA: “They speak of you with evil intent. Your adversaries misuse your name.” Psalm 139:20 (NIV)
Cindy living in Cochem, Germany: God is our refuge and strength, as ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
Dawn, West Monroe, LA
“Be still & know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 NIV
Patty, Marysville, Oh. Psalm 121:1-2 ( HCSB)
I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Tangila, Pearland TX
Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride. (Ecclesiastes 7:8 NLT)
Menomonee Falls, WI
For nothing is impossible with God. (NIV)
Luke 1:37
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded. James 4:8
Julie Newton, IA
“For we are not given a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
Kelly, Auburn, Al – Look to The Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:4 NIV
But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:7 NIV
Joni, Clarinda,IA
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, that you may not be sluggish but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:11-12 NASB
Diane from Chesapeake, VA.
“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
Susan, Wynne
1 Cor 10:23-24
23 All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable.
All things are lawful, but not all things edify.
24 Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. (NASB)