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
Carmel, IN
When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Isaiah 43: 2-3a
Paulette
Nogalus Prairie, TX
“So whoever knows what is good to do and does not do it is guilty of sin.” James 4:17
NET Bible
Stacy – Hinckley, England
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6v6 NIV
Connie – Fulton, KY
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3 (NIV)
Darcy, Pittsburgh
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17, NLT
Diane, Durham NC
Do what is right as a sacrifice to the Lord and trust the Lord.
Psalm 4:5
New Century Version
Peggy, Queen Creek, See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 1Thess 5:15 NASB
Veronica -Atlanta Georgia Proverbs 2:6 for the lord giveth wisdom : out of his mouth cometh. Knowledge and understanding. ((memory
Verse cards)
Joanne, Orange, TX
Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. Psalm 144:1 NIV
Concetta, White Oak, Psalms 119:50, NIV, “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”
Suzanne, Birmingham: “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 NIV
Courtney, Houma, LA
Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us!
What joy!
Restore our fortunes, LORD,
as streams renew the desert.
Psalm 126: 3-4, NLT
Joan, Carter Lake, IA
Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. (Psalm 16:1 NIV)
Dana Nance
Blue Ridge, TX
Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.
Deuteronomy 32:2 NIV
Sandy, Clatskanie OR. Psalm 116:15 KJV
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.
“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all those who have not seen 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
Pam, Apple Valley, Minnesota
For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
Psalm 33:4
These words are so comforting and healing in this time of family death, aging parents, job uncertainties, and national and government upheavals. Thank God that no matter what, we do not need to be afraid that He is with us.
Regina, Salado, TX
“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Sharon, Riverside, Ca
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 NIV
Suzy, Wheelersburg,oh -Be exalted, O Lord, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth, Psalms 57:11 NIV
Julia, Whidbey Island, WA : “But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matt 6:33 NET
Holly, Glendale, AZ:
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
Isaiah 26:3 NLT
“God is within her she will not topple, God will help her when the morning dawns.” -Psalm 46:5
Jude 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the spirit.
TNIV
Gail, Phoenix
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 KJV
NM: Mt. 6:34 Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.(NIV)
Paige, Flowood, MS
You lead me in the path of life; I experience absolute joy in your presence; you always give me sheer delight.
Psalms 16:11 NET
Kathy: Hazlehurst, Ms.
For sin will not rule over you,
because you are not under law but under grace. Rom 6:14
Kelly, Jackson, MI:
“You visit the earth and cause it to overflow; You greatly enrich it; The stream of God is full of water; You prepare their grain, for thus You prepare the earth.”
Psalm 65:9, NASB
Betsy Roberts – Antwerp, Ohio
āAnd His name will be called . . . Mighty God.ā
Isaiah 9:6
Jeanne San Antonio, TX
Psalm 19:14 New International Version
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Cari from Alexandria, LA
“Do not let love and kindness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”
Proverbs 3: 3 NAB
Roni – Demopolis, AL “For He looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.” Job 28:24
Rene, Overland Park, KS “He leads the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.” Psalm 25:9 (HCSB)
Jeannie, Nashville, Tn.
“My soul, wait upon God only, for my expectation comes from Him.” Ps. 62:5
Praying for you, Sister.
Jennifer T, Fairfax VA
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 (NIV)
Michelle W
Boynton Beach, FL
For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, āBe removed and be cast into the sea,ā and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:23-24 NKJV
Crystal Clark, Omaha, NE
Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord. Jeremiah 23:24 (esv)
Sheila, Gardendale, AL
Oct. 1 and 15 ~
Revelation 19:15 & 16 (ESV)
From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.
On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Jenny, Tyler, Tx
Proverbs 16:1
International Standard Version
People do the planning, but the end result is from the LORD.
Cathy Reineke
Orofino, ID
For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise…
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name…
Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness!
! Chro 16:25a,29 NIV
OOPS ~ double entry
Carole from Webb City, MO: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13
Abbie Reimer, Omaha, ne
Psalm 130:3-4 “If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can with reverence, serve you.”
Is 41:11 all who rage against you will surely BE ASHAMED and disgraced…
I litterally spoke those capitalized words to a raging someone a day ago…not knowing the scripture, but knowing in my knower that it was the most loving Godword to say at the moment…and They immediately shut up. :))
We ended up talking about turning to Jesus. Wow.
Suzy – Atlanta
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who is indeed interceding for us.
Romans 8:34 – ESV
La Chiel from Portland, TN
For sin will have NO dominion over you since you are not under the law but under grace. Romans 6:14 NET
Isaiah 48:17 NLT This is what the Lord saysā
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
āI am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is good for you
and leads you along the paths you should follow.
Kristin from Greenwood, IN: āI am the Alpha and the Omega,ā says the Lord God, āwho is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.ā (Revelation 1:8 NIV)
Barb, Kentwood MI:
āBecause you have so little faith I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain āmove from here to thereā and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for youā
Matt 17:20-21 NIV84