"Fear Not...I Will..."

I journal.  Not everyday, but when I read the Word of God in the morning and something really profound hits me I like to try to write about it.  I had a special time like that on Monday morning.  I kept wanting to share my thoughts on my blog but Monday went by, then Tuesday and now it's Wednesday night.  I wanted to write a nice polished, crystal clear piece on my experience, but time has elapsed.  Proof that God gives grace for the day.  That same grace is still carrying me, but the initial impact is gone.  Instead I am going to share what I wrote in my journal.  Let the piece speak for itself 'in the moment'.  It's in a raw form.  Recognize that it's early and I haven't even finished the first coffee of the day before I finished writing it.  But that's just it...no glory for me hidden in grandoise wording.  Just an exposed heart in its raw, unedited form.  Let the Word speak for itself.  It does not need my input.

November 19, 2012

My hands are in poor shape.  I woke up many times again last night from the aching pain in them.  There's been little sleep and little school work completed due to barn work these last 2 weeks.  We are grossly behind in school.  There's a Reformed Christian School 20 minutes down the road that will happily take my kids and most likely do a better job with the kids than I can.  We've had pulpit supply the last 2 weeks.  I am badly discouraged.  I am ready to throw in the towel.

My Bible reading plan told me to read Isaiah 40, 41, 42 and 43.

The over arching theme is 'Fear not!'  'Fear not!'  'Fear not!'  Over and over we hear it.

'Fear not, for I am with you' --Is. 41:10
'Fear not, I will help you' --Is 41:13
'Fear not, for I have redeemed you' --Is 43:1
'Fear not, for I am with you' --Is 43:5

"He will feed His flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young." --Is. 40:11

Then it continues to speak of how great God is--we can't weigh mountains or count dust or place the hills in the balance...lifting up the isles would be a huge deal to us--it isn't to God.  He knows every creature he has created...he calls them by name...not one of them is missing (Is 40:26)

"Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak O Israel, 'My way is hidden from the Lord, and my just claim is passed over by my God' " --Is 40:27

No, the Lord keeps talking in the next verses.  He says he is unsearchable.  He gives power to the weak and to those who have no might he increases strength. 

Chapter 41 continues with big things God has done and yet he takes notice of us --vs. 8 says, "But you Israel are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend (Romans 4;11-25 says that I too am a child of Abraham, through faith).

Then verse 9: You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest regions, and said to you, 'You are my servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away.'  Lord, that's a really precious truth.

"Fear not, for I am with you.  Be not dismayed for I am your God.  I will strengthen you.  Yes, I will help you.  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  --Is. 41:14

And then I realized all the 'I will's' in chapter 41...

'I will strengthen you...' vs 10
'I will help you...'  vs 10
'I will uphold you...'  vs 10
'I will hold your right hand...'  vs 13
'I will help you...'  vs 13
'I will help you...'  vs 14
'I will hear...' vs 17
'I will not forsake...' vs 17
'I will open rivers in desolate heights...' vs 18
'I will make the wilderness a pool of water...' vs 18
'I will plant...' vs 19
'I will make...' vs 19

Chapter 42:3: 'A bruised reed he will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench.'

And then chapter 43.
vs 1: "....I have called you by name; you are Mine."

vs 4: "Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honoured, and I have loved you....."

vs 20b, 21: 'Because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen.  This people I have formed for Myself.  They shall declare My praise."

Thank you Lord!  You have truly given me water in this wilderness.  I will praise you!