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. 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
8–10 “But you, Israel, are my servant.
You’re 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, ‘You’re my servant, serving on my side.
I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.’
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.
11–13 “Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you
will end up out in the cold—
real losers.
Those who worked against you
will end up empty-handed—
nothing to show for their lives.
When you go out looking for your old adversaries
you won’t find them—
Not a trace of your old enemies,
not even a memory.
That’s right. Because I, your GOD,
have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go.
I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic.
I’m right here to help you.’
14–16 “Do you feel like a lowly worm, Jacob?
Don’t be afraid.
Feel like a fragile insect, Israel?
I’ll help you.
I, GOD, want to reassure you.
The God who buys you back, The Holy of Israel.
I’m transforming you from worm to harrow,
from insect to iron.
As a sharp-toothed harrow you’ll smooth out the mountains,
turn those tough old hills into loamy soil.
You’ll open the rough ground to the weather,
to the blasts of sun and wind and rain.
But you’ll be confident and exuberant,
expansive in The Holy of Israel!
Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (Is 41:8–16). 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
Adrienne
Jasper, TN
But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1 NIV
Becky, Chattanooga, TN
“Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”
Psalm 34:5 NIV
Amy
Tyler, TX
“You’re my servant, serving on my side. I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.” 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 41:9-10
The Message
Anna McCollister
New Palestine, IN
Psalm 139:23-24 ESV
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
Gail, Tyler,TX
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV
Andrea, Louisville, KY
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2
Tracy, Kountze
I delight to do your will, O my God; Your Law is in my heart. Psalm 40:8
“I will not forget you. See, I have engraved you on the palm of my hand.” Isaiah 49:15,16
Natalie from Frisco, TX
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 NIV
“Let your conversations be gracious & attractive so that you’ll have the right response for everyone.”
Colossians 4:6(NLT)
Monica, NY.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Colossians 3:12-15 KJV
Cheri
Louisville, KY
Ruth, Providence
…ζωὴ ὑμῶν κέκρυπται σὺν τῷ Χριστῷ ἐν τῷ θεῷ
(Zoe hymon kekryptai syn Christos en Theos)
…your life is hid with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:3b Greek
Kelly Collett, Buckhannon, WV
Psalm 37:4 NIV
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Kathryn, Oceanside, ‘Let your conversations be gracious and attractive so that you’ll have the right response to everyone’. Colossians 4:6 (NLT)
Port Neches, TX
“Even to your old age I will be the same, And even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; And I will bear you and I will deliver you. (Isaiah 46:4 NASB)
Diane E., Charleston, IL
On that day, tell your son, “I do this because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.”
Exodus 13:8 NIV
Lisa Braun
Warman, SK Canada
So that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:10-11 NLT
“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.” 1 John 3:2
Shelly, Rochester, MN
Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
Colossians 4:6 NLT
I am awaiting surgery – right now! and decided to read your blog. Such amazing timing! Thank you! Jesus Christ is my Lord and I am not alone, nor am I afraid. 🙂
2 Cor 4:17 KJV
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
Neeley from Auburn, AL
Philippians 2:7-NIV
“Rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.”
Laurin, Harrisburg, NC – “This is the one I esteem, he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.”
Isaiah 66:2
On the contrary: “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Romans 12:20
Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which they can be saved.
Caty from Stockbridge, GA – Only by pride coneth contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. ~Proverbs 13:10 KJV
Sheri, Morrisville, MO
“being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.” Colossians 1:11-12 NIV
Beth, I’m praying for you–I know I’m late with posting, but I am still praying. <3
Anna, Little Elm, TX
You are my hiding place;
You will protect me from trouble
And surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 32:7 (NIV84)
Paula from Denver, Co
Psalm 91:2 N.I.V.
I will say of the Lord,”He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Debra, Many, La.
“How lovely is Your dwelling place, Lord of Host. I long and yearn for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God.” Psalm 84: 1-2 (HCSB)
Leanne, Billings, MT
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,”
Phil 2:9 NIV
Proverbs 3:7
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. – NIV
Kylie, Wichita, KS Psalm 63:1 (NIV)
You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.
Sharon in Florien, LA: But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run & not be weary, they shall walk & not faint. Isaiah 40:31NKJV
Christy L., Royal Palm Beach, FL
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t 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
Megan from Salisbury, MD
The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 NIV
Heidi, Vancouver, British Columbia
Psalm 25:17 NIV
relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish.
Christa from AZ (sorry this is late…I am a busy mom, employee, and student) 🙂
Joshua 1:9 (NLT)
9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Carol, Belleville, ON
“And may you understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how deep, how high His love is.” Eph 3:18 NLT
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Psalm 139:6
Carol Kirby Amarillo TX
He who calls you is faithful. He will surely do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 ESV
Stephanie, Austin, “But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” I Samuel 12:24, NIV
Danielle S.
Garden City, KS
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Philippians 2:8a (ESV)
Kathleen, Tallahassee, FL:
“O sing to the Lord a new song,
For He has done wonderful things,
His right hand and His holy arm have gained the
victory for Him.”
Psalm 98:1 (NASB)
Eph. 1:3 NIV
Praise be to the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realm with EVERY spiritual blessin in CHRIST!!!
Praise be to the LORD, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. –PSALMS 68:19, NIV
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Ps 23:1 NIV
Cindy,Alton NH Jeremiah 17:7&8 Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when the heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of the drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. ESV
Lonnie G. Omaha NE
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalms 19:14 NLT)
Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor me. Psalm 50:15