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
DLynn; Argyle, TX
1 Corinthians 13:7
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Rhonda, Anderson, IN
Colossians 1:29 NLT
That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.
Psalm 30:2 NIV
O, Lord, my God, I called to You, and I am
healed.
Misti, from Kingwood, TX:
“May the LORD make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.”
1 Thessalonians 3:12 NIV
Carolyn, Rocksprings, TX
When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV)
Theresa, Cincinnati, In light of this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk – better yet, run! – on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline – not in fits and starts, but steadily pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. Eph4:1,2 The Message
Martha, Georgetown, TX, NLT, 1 Thess 5:16-18 “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Jackie, Mobile, AL.
” For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of the soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ”
Hebrews 4:12 NASB
Shellie P.
Spokane, WA
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 NIV
P.S. I know this is really late! My laptop croaked and the kids are always on this time. I practically had to wrestle my way onto the computer today even 🙂 Not literally, but you know what I mean, I hope!
Heather Smith
Visalia, CA
Isaiah 41:13 NKJV
For I am the LORD, your God,who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you.
Clear bill of health, Stage 4 Breast Cancer SURVIVOR as of August 30th
Mound City, KS
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
I Corinthians 13:6-7
Liz Nashua, NH
Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Kira, Ray, MI
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
Dawn – Pampa, TX
Test me, Lord & try me
examine my heart & mind.
Psalm 26:2 NIV
Stephanie McKenzie
Red Deer, Alberta
The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” (Acts 10:15 NIV)
Nitsa, Eugene, OR. “And your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 30:21 NAS
Hebrews 12:1
Let us run with patience. NIV
Wanda
Osborn, Missouri
Habakkuk 3:18 (NIV)
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Tracee, Morristown, TN
God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self control. 2Timothy 1:7 CEV
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 ESV
Bridget, Cadillac, MI
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 nkjv
Catherine ~ Grants Pass, OR
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)
Teri S. Gadsden, AL
I know that you can do all things; no plans of yours can be thwarted.
Job42:2 NIV
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 ESV
Debbie
Portland, OR
Sharon, Barrington,
“Now the Lord is Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NIV
Kathi Nitzsche
Lexington, OH
“Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when He judges the world.” 1 Peter 2:12 NLT
Psalm 40:8 NIV
I desire to do your will, O my God;
Your law is within my heart.
Carolyn, Terrace Bc Canada
Ephesians 6:11 NIV
Put on the full armor of God
so that you can take a stand
against the devil’s schemes.
Sheila, Splendora, TX
“Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.”
John 14:1 (ESV)
Holly from Alpharetta, GA
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.’
Isaiah 41: 13 The Message
Mickey, from Blue Springs, Missouri
But if you are always biting and devouring one another, Watch Out! Beware of destroying one another.
Galations 5:15 NLT
Lila Salem, OR
Those who know your name trust in You because you have not abandoned those who seek You, Yahwah. Psalm 9:10 HCSB
Maria Cristina Bruschi – Orlando, Florida
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
Psalm 40:2, NIV
mitzi from Brandon, MS
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve The Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100 KJV
Niki Carroll, Shelby, NC; “When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.” John 18:6 (NIV)
Laura Berg in Carlsbad, CA
”But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. ”
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Albuquerque, NM
I Corinthians 10:13
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that ye may be able to bear it”. KJV
NIV
Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Galatians6:9
So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. HCSB
Nicole///Dallas///NLT
2 Timothy 2:24 “24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.”
Mei, Easley SC:
being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. Romans 4:21 NIV
Courtney De La Rosa
Dallas, TX
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the spirit.”
2 Corinthians 4:9
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Rev 3:20/NIV
Diane, Wedgefield, SC – My hearts says of You, “Seek His face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Psalm 27:8, NIV 1984
Ruth, Goose Creek, SC
The LORD is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear or dread? The LORD is the refuge and stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 (AMP)
Julia Stevens Hill – Anniston, Alabama
Psalm 45:11
The King is enthralled by your beauty;
honor Him, for He is your LORD.
Paula from Houston, TX
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
(Proverbs 17:22, NIV-1984)
Tessie El Dorado Springs, MO
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Alice Champagne, Marietta, GA
My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 NIV
Shelley from San Angelo
Lamentations 3:22 NIV
Because of the Lord’s great love
we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.