I’ve heard about people who say, “I opened my Bible right to exactly what I needed to read,”. While I always find comfort and direction in God’s word, I did not personally experience instantly finding a scripture until recently. The verse was Isaiah 41:10, which has so much to unpack. In the Message version it reads, “I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you. Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I am your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.”
First it says God picked you. We’ve all been in situations where we didn’t get picked for something, ranging from elementary school and picking for recess games to adulthood and getting picked for a job. We feel excitement and validation of our worth when we are picked. We experience dejection and disappointment when we aren’t picked. This scripture reminds us that the God who created the universe picked us, picked you, to be His child and experience all the benefits of believing and trusting in Him even when our eyes see something different.
Next it gives instructions on what to do if we don’t get picked. “Don’t panic,”. I wish I could say I always get that one right! When the world throws us a curve ball, when the enemy comes to try to distract and destroy us, it’s easy to panic because that is what we see right in front of us and what we feel in the moment. It’s hard to remember that God has a plan for us regardless of what the world throws at us.
Finally it highlights God’s promises.
- I AM with you
- I WILL give you strength
- I WILL help you
- I WILL hold you steady
- I WILL keep a firm grip on you
When you live your life for God, you have these promises that He is with you-strengthening you, helping you, holding you with His firm grip. That doesn’t mean that things won’t come that momentarily shake you, and you just survive. God is there to help you steady again, so you can live in the good things He has for you and thrive!
Nae's Notes 