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
Nell, Gallatin
Isaiah 42:6-8 GW
I, The Lord, have called you to do what is right. I will take hold of your hand. I will protect you. I will appoint you as my promise to the people, as my light to the nations. You will give sight to the blind, bring prisoners out of prison, and bring those who live in darkness out of dungeons. I am The Lord; that is my name. I will not give my glory to anyone else or the praise I deserve to idols.
Emily, Topeka, Kansas
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)
Mary
Silver Spring, MD
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Melissa, California
“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
Elizabeth Meagher Mechanicsville, VA
“But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.”
1 Samuel 12:24, NIV
Soni from Gulfport, MS: Isaiah 26:3 LB
He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him,
whose thoughts turn often to the Lord.
danae | lafayette, in
let me hear of Your unfailing love each morning, for i am trusting in You. show me where to walk, for i give myself to You. — psalm 143:8 [nlt]
Dee, Zeeland, MI from NIV84 Isaiah 32:17
“The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.”
Jill
Plano,TX
I will lift up my eyes to the hills; from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2
Jeannie from Atlanta, IN –
Matthew 6:25-27 ESV –
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”
Cindy – Houston
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Ellen Forrester Spring, Texas
Therefore, as Godās chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.ā Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Donna D, Sarnia, Ontario
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.”
James 3:13-14 NIV
Kellye,Las Vegas.He gives strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)
Sarah, Colorado Springs, CO
If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea. Isaiah 48:18 NIV
Amy Gossen
Carthage, MO
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)
Lindsey, Jenks, OK
“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done. Search for the Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him.” ~Psalm 105:1,4 NLT
Leanne from Eden Prairie, MN
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 NIV)
Sharon, Wheatridge, Colorado
So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and keep you. I will uphold you with my righteus right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not demand and cling to His rights as God. He made Himself nothing; He took on the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form.
Phil. 2:5-7 NLT
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1
” You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” John 15:16
Jeanette dahm. Tualatin,OR. Eph. 3:16-17. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
Terry in Louisa, VA
Psalm 103:20-22 NIV
“PRAISE THE LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do His bidding, who obey His word.
“PRAISE THE LORD, all His heavenly hosts, you His servants who do His will.
“PRAISE THE LORD, all His works everywhere in His dominion.
“PRAISE THE LORD, O my soul.”
Brandy A. Cross Anchor, SC
Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 (NLT)
Jcee, Frisco, Tx
Psalm 138: 3, 7 (NCV)
3: On the day I called to You, You answered me.
You made me strong and brave.
7: LORD, even when I have trouble all around me,
You will keep me alive. When my enemies are angry,
You will reach down and save me by Your power.
Praying for you and yours!
Lynn, Lake Villa, IL
Jude 21 The Message
…keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!
Stephanie V., Tulsa, Ok.
*Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Romans 10:23, nkjv)
Melissa, LaGrange,GA Isaiah 61:3(NIV)
To comfort all who mourn,and provide for those who grieve in Zionāto bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,the oil of joy instead of mourning,and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness,a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
I am so sorry, it’s actually Hebrews 10:23, nkjv.
Janice, Harrison, AR
“Everyone helps his neighbor and says to his brother, ‘Be strong!'” Isaiah 41:6 ESV
Vickie, Poplar Bluff, MO. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Richelle, Kingston, TN ~ My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Your word. Psalms 119:28 NASB
Sue in Grand Rapids,MI
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV
“The Lord is near to all who call on him.”
Psalm 145:18 NIV
Karen, Christy, Cheryl A Cord of Three Strands
Jay,OK
The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.
Deut. 29:29 NIV
Cory Anna, Atlanta
“Moreover, because of what Christ has done, we have become gifts to God that he delights in, for as part of Godās sovereign plan we were chosen from the beginning to be his, and all things happen just as he decided long ago.”
Ephesians 1:11 (TLB)
Karen, Colchester VT.
Be fearless, no matter who opposes you. It will be a sign to them of their downfall that God is with you and that he will save you.
Philippians 1:28- NIV/LB
Jen, Katy, TX
“When we are in Christ Jesus, it is not important if we are circumcised or not. The important thing is faith — the kind of faith that works through love.” Galatians 5:6 NCV
Lindsey, Scenery Hill, PA
2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Donna. Marina , Ca
The fear of man brings a snare, but whosoever trusts in The Lord shall be safe.
Proverbs 29: 25 NKJV
Terri Frasure from South Lebanon, Ohio
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.”
Hebrews 4:15-16
(HCSB)
Laurie Chester
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
Proverbs 31:26
ESV
Chelsey from Amarillo, TX
“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.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
linda, colorado springs.
o israel, hope in the lord; for with the lord there is mercy, and with him is abundant redemption.
psalm 130:7 (nkjv)
Joy – Georgetown, TX – “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” NIV
Mariposa Sivage, Albuquerque New Mexico
All scripture is God Breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in rightousness.
2 Tim 3:16 NIV
Memphis, TN
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordainded you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
John 15:16 KJV
Faye from Calgary, AB Canada
I missed Oct 1st so I’m submitting 2 to be memorized.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1 NIV)
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: āBe holy, because I am holy.ā (1 Peter 1:15, 16 NIV)
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Psalm 139:6. NIV
Dina Garcia, Anaheim, CA
āYou will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, whose thoughts are fixed on You.ā Isaiah 26:3 NLT