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
Diane from Littleton, CO
2 Corinthians 10:3. NIV
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
Laurie from Edmond
Psalm 145:13
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom:
Your rule is for all generations.
The Lord is faithful in all His words and
Gracious in all His actions.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise;
Give thanks to Him and praise His name.
Psalm 100:4
Christy, Jonesboro, AR
NIV Zephaniah 3:17 – The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
Terry, Carbondale, IL
“O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.” Psalm 139:1-2 (ESV)
Tina. Zalma, MO But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
Gena Gilbert, Rowlett, Texas
“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me”
Psalm 139:1 NIV
Debbie Nicholson
Gulfport, MS
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day. Psalm 91:5 NIV
Carol from Kansas City says:
15 No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.
John 15:15 (NASB)
Keri Lee Robbins, Las Vegas, NV
“Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.” (James 5:9-10 NKJV)
Praying for you and your family Beth <3
Patti from Tampa:
I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:16-21
Oops, forgot to include the translation –
Ephesians 1:16-21 ESV
Susan L (central IL) – This work must continue until we are all joined together in the same faith and in the same knowledge of the Son of God. We must become like a mature person, growing until we become like Christ and have his perfection. Ephesians 4:13 (NCV)
1 Peter 5:6-8
Humble yourselves, therefore under God’s might hand, that He may lift yo up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him becuase he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Colette, Mesa, AZ.
“Give us aid against the enemy,
for the help of man is worthless.
With God we will gain the victory,
and He will trample down our enemies!”
Psalm 108: 12-13
Diana, East Peoria, IL
It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Ephesians 1:11 MSG
(praying for you & your family Beth!)
Lisa Curtis
Jackson, MO
O God, you cause abundant showers to fall on Your chosen people. When they are tired, you sustain them for you live among them. Psalm 68:9-10A The NET
Nancy Lakewood, CO
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
(praying for your family, Beth!)
Elaine – Powder Springs – May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us that your way may be known on Earth, Your saving power among all nations.
(Psalm 67:1-2 ESV)
Lori, Toledo
Psalm 19:14 New International Reader’s Version
14 Lord, may the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart
be pleasing in your eyes.
You are my Rock and my Redeemer.
“I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgements and do them.”
Ezekiel 36:27 NKJV Susan Winston-Salem,NC
Amber Moon, Lincolnton, NC
Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4 (NLT)
Rebecca~Springfield, OH
John 10:4-5 NKJV
And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.ā
“Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
May the words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:13-14 NIV 1984
Troy, Ohio
2 John Verse 6 NIV
And this is love: that we walk in
obedience to his commands.
As you have heard from the
beginning, his command is
that you walk in love.
Stephanie, Morgantown, WV
2 Corinthians 12:9
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me (ESV).
Kimberly, Fresno, CA
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34. NIV
Anita; Purcellville,VA
An anxious heart weighs a man down,
but a kind word cheers him up.
Proverbs 12:25 NIV84
Dawn, Mt. Olive, NC
Romans 15:7 NCV
“Christ accepted you so you should accept each other, which will bring glory to God.”
Ellen, Albuquerque. Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2-3 (NLT)
Cindy
Kalamazoo, MI
Romans 12:15
ESV
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
I am fervently praying for your family! May the Lord bless you in this trying time!
Isaiah 43:1
But now this is what the Lord says…he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel…”Fear not, for I have summoned you by name, you are mine…” The Lord laid this on my heart to pray and memorize late last night! Instead of my memory verse…maybe this is for you and your family, as much as it is for me!
Love you people!
C
Sue Big Rapids, MI
Ps 91:12 They will bear you up in their hands, that you do not strike your foot against a stone. NASB
Patti, Phoenix AZ
Proverbs 19:21 NIV “Many are the plans in a personās heart, but it is the Lordās purpose that prevails.”
Beth,Troy
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Col 2:6-7(NIV)
Megan, Stow, OH, (#19) I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now, I give him to the Lord. 1 Sam. 1:27-28a NIV; (#20) For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:5 NIV
Cindy Gandy
Hazlehurst, MS
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Chyrll, Cordova, TN: Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. John 15:20 NASB
Nicole from Iowa:
I couldn’t help but take a segment of this passage, as it really spoke to me!!
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 Isaiah 41:13 The Message
Michelle, Fort Worth
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalm 121:3-4 (ESV)
Sheila
Guyton, GA
“Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” I Peter 4:19 NASB
Pam Houston, Buena Park, CA
“For they speak against You wickedly,
And Your enemies take Your name in vain.”
Psalms 139:20 NASB
Suzanne Bailey, Harrisville
to speak evil of no one,
to avoid quarreling,
to be gentle and
to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
Titus 3:2 ESV
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32, ESV
Kristie Lovely
Queen City, TX
“For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take Your name in vain.” Psalm 139:20 NKJV
Sheryl, PA
I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sin no more.
Isa. 43:25 NIV
2 Chronicles 16:9
The eyes of The Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
Thank you for this. I am covering you in prayer. I was too late to the SSMT party to join officially, but I think it is wonderful. I want to share a verse, but I just keep hearing, “All His ways are right,” and Jer. 29:11, Psalm 25:10, Jer. 33:3, and Romans 8:28 come to mind. He loves those who love Him, and those who seek Him FIND Him. May He bring more and more seekers to the waters of His provision that they may find Him in abundance.
Ellen, Moneta VA
For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. -1 Thessalonians 4:7 (NIV 1984)
Staci
Columbus
Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16 ESV)
I’m praying for you Beth, and your dear family!
Jeremiah 17:8 (NIV)
He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
Diane, Largo, Fl
Psalm 68:3-4 NLT
But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy.
Sing praises to God and to His Name. Sing loud praises to Him who rides the clouds. His Name is The Lord- rejoice in His presence!