Tag: Isaiah 41:10

The Anchored Soul – Day 9 – Out of Earshot? Never!

On By KateIn Devotionals, The Anchored SoulLeave a comment

Psalm 61:2: “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Life has a way of feeling like a vast, winding valley. In the middle of it, the beauty of the landscape can quickly be overshadowed by the sheer vastness of the mountains ahead. There are moments when the path feels too steep, the baggage too heavy, and our own strength far too small.

When David wrote this Psalm, he wasn’t just enjoying a view; he was crying out from a place of emotional exhaustion. He used the word overwhelmed, which in Hebrew suggests a heart that is “faint” or “wrapped in darkness.” He felt small compared to the size of his struggles.

‛âṭaph
aw-taf’
A primitive root; to shroud, that is, clothe (whether transitively or reflexively); hence (from the idea of darkness) to languish: – cover (over), fail, faint, feebler, hide self, be overwhelmed, swoon.

But notice his response:

  1. He acknowledges his location: “From the end of the earth.” No matter how far you feel from peace or from God, you are never out of God’s earshot.
  2. He lifts his gaze: Instead of focusing on his circumstances, he looks up. He recognizes that he needs something more stable and bigger than himself.
  3. He asks for guidance: “Lead me.” He doesn’t try to climb the mountain alone. He asks the Creator of those very peaks to take him by the hand.

The “Rock” represents Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4), a foundation that doesn’t shift when the storms blow through the valley. When your heart feels crowded by worry and anxiety, remember that there is a higher vantage point. God doesn’t always remove the mountain, but He promises to lead you to a place that is higher and greater than your problems.

Reflect: What is one “mountain” in your life today that feels too big? Can you take a moment to stop climbing and simply ask the Lord to lead you to His higher ground? Consider reading these verses for further encouragement:

Isaiah 41:10: Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Psalm 46:1: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Matthew 11:28: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

John 14:27: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Philippians 4:6–7: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Soar As Eagles – Overcoming Despondency

On By KateIn Devotionals, Soar As Eagles2 Comments

Psalm 43:5  Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Isaiah 41:10  Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

2 Corinthians 4:16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

As a born-again believer, I sometimes get despondent and discouraged about the trials in my life, particularly when faced with challenges that seem insurmountable. Recognizing that emotion is the first step in order to bring about the healing I desperately seek. I often think of Job in the Old Testament who lost everything (except his complaining wife) but yet remained faithful through unimaginable suffering. His unwavering attitude during times of despair serves as a powerful reminder of resilience and devotion. We can learn from his experience and how he described how he was feeling (see Job 3:3, Job 16:16, Job 23:16). This is exactly how I felt during a recent trial when I felt overwhelmed.

We may even feel the way Job did, struggling with our own questions of faith and purpose during life’s darkest moments, but it is so important to remember that enduring faith can lead to wonderful spiritual growth and understanding of what our Heavenly Father is trying to accomplish in our lives.

We have a lot to learn from Job’s trials. It’s not a sin to question God about your trials, reader! In reading about Job’s life, I’ve learned:

  • that he had unconditional faith;
  • that suffering isn’t always due to sin;
  • God is sovereign over our lives;
  • that perseverance is so important;
  • and the limits of human understanding of God’s will and purpose.

We can’t always put our finger on the answers to life’s hardships, but we can reach for the hem of Christ’s garment and receive peace and spiritual healing as we go through our trials. In times of distress, turning our hearts and minds toward Him allows us to find peace amidst the chaos surrounding us. Encourage yourself in the Word by reading through Psalms, where each verse is filled with encouragement and profound insights that help us deal with our deepest struggles. There is so much comfort and encouragement to glean from the prayers and praises woven into its chapters. It serves as a timeless reminder of God’s unfailing love and presence in our lives. Do you think that the Lord knew we would need it? I surely do! His wisdom goes beyond time, knowing our hearts would crave peace and strength to live through the challenges we face each day.

I end today’s devotional with these verses because they are not only helpful in relieving ourselves of despondency, but they are beautiful instructions on how to live with peace instead of discouragement.

Colossians 3:15-16  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.  (16)  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Overwhelming Fear

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Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Fear grips each and every one of us at some point in our lives. It is inevitable and can be overwhelming, often creeping in during moments of weakness. That fear, however, only rears its ugly head because we do not know the outcome of what lies ahead. But Someone does! When you are in a relationship with the Almighty, you can rest assured that He knows the outcome because He transcends time and space. He doesn’t have a beginning or an end; He exists beyond our finite view of existence. Therefore, He can see what will come of your fearful situation. This divine foresight provides a sense of comfort, reminding us that we are never truly alone in our struggles. We can lean on His wisdom and trust that whatever happens, there is a purpose to our experiences, even the challenging ones. In times of distress, it is vitally important to remember that His presence can be a guiding light shining in those shadows of fear, leading us to hope and assurance.

Isaiah 41:10  Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Since He knows how your situation is going to end, and He only wants what is best for you, you can rest assured that you have no reason to fear. The enemy wants you to fear, as fear can cloud your judgment and lead you away from the truth. He doesn’t want you to seek the Lord because he wants to keep you deep in fear, trapping you in a cycle of doubt and anxiety that prevents you from experiencing the true peace that God can give. The devil desires you to attempt to find peace in anything but the Lord, directing your attention towards deceivingly false security. He will even provide temporary peace, luring you into a false sense of comfort, but it will never be complete peace. Only God can provide that! In His presence, you will find a peace that goes beyond your understanding, a peace that not only calms your heart but also strengthens your spirit, allowing you to face those challenges that come your way with unwavering faith and confidence.

If you are born again, you can easily find complete peace by reading your Bible and trusting God to open your eyes to verses that you need for the moment. If you are not born again, you won’t be able to find true peace … no matter what direction you take, you won’t find it. Please go to this link and read the Bible verses which can lead you to true peace! I pray you find rest for your soul there.

Protection Is Found

On By KateIn Devotionals, Hymns for TodayLeave a comment

Psalm 91:1-4  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  (2)  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.  (3)  Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.  (4)  He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Did you know that shade provides temperatures 25 degrees lower than standing in the sun? What a relief it is to be walking in the heat of day, then to come under a tree to feel the shade it provides! To top it off, now add a cold glass of lemonade or iced tea! Ahhhhh! As you sit down and lean against the tree, you can experience what it is like to be under God’s wings. What does that mean, exactly? What do His wings provide? I can think of several things:

  • It provides shade: When life gets “hot” with worries and troubles, the Lord God provides us with comfort to decrease that heat. Isaiah 41:10  Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
  • It provides protection: God protects us from the enemy’s darts and efforts to deflate your zeal for the Lord. Psalm 121:7  The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. 2Th 3:3  But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
  • It provides a covering: Psalm 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Romans 4:7  Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. When Adam and Eve sinned, God covered them with the skins of a slain animal. Blood was shed in order for them to be covered. Genesis 3:21  Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. Just as Jesus’ blood was shed to cover our sins!
  • It provides “closeness”: The Lord is never so far that He cannot hear you. He hears the faintest whisper of a cry when you are too overwhelmed to speak. Like the Shepherd who carries a wounded sheep, the Lord presses up against us and carries us through our trials. Psalm 145:18  The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. Psalm 34:18  The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Acts 17:27  That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: James 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Matthew 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Today’s hymn brings such comfort to my spirit. We are living in times of uncertainty. The days are getting truly more wicked than ever. We think things can’t possibly get any worse; but yet, they will as the Bible tells us. Read the words below and listen to the hymn again. Let this mini message from Mr. Cushing sink deep so you can see the Lord’s works in your life.

Under His Wings – by William Orcutt Cushing

1 Under His wings I am safely abiding;
  Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him, I know He will keep me;
  He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

CHORUS:
Under His wings, under His wings,
  Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
    Safely abide forever.

2 Under His wings—what a refuge in sorrow!
  How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
  There I find comfort, and there I am blest.

3 Under His wings—oh, what precious enjoyment!
  There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me;
  Resting in Jesus I’m safe evermore.

God provided His Holy Spirit to live within us. He never leaves us because He’s in us and with us. We know that each name of God has a purpose. In this case, Emmanuel (God with us) tells us that Christ’s Holy Spirit lives here and now, within each born-again believer. Christ left us His Spirit so we could always be under His wings. Did you know that the Book of John is the only Gospel that calls the Holy Spirit “Comforter”?

John 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

John 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 15:26  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

The Comforter places us under His wings – are you abiding there? Only God’s Word can promise your very own place to retreat and find solace. Find Jesus there while you wait for His return!

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Comfort During the End Times – Day 30

On By KateIn Comfort During the End Times, DevotionalsLeave a comment

The Bible has an ongoing theme for God’s chosen people, Israel. We see it in today’s verse and we see it in the numerous verses below. One thing is for certain, God has never abandoned His people nor will He ever! Even during the Tribulation, God will pour out His mercy on His people giving them every opportunity to acknowledge their Messiah, Jesus!

(Jos 8:1)  And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:

(Jos 10:25)  And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.

(1 Chron 28:20)  And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

(2 Chron 20:17)  Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

(Isa 41:10)  Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

(Jer 30:10)  Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.

(Jer 46:27)  But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.

Multiple times, God has told His people not to fear nor to be dismayed. This word, dismayed, means disheartened or deprived of courage. If there has ever been a people who has been persecuted in this world, it is the Jewish people. God knew their frame because He created man. He knew they would get discouraged and that they would need Him to remind them who He is and what He can accomplish! When Christ came in the flesh to speak the words of God, He opened up the way of salvation to all man, not just the Jews. Now the Church can reap the same blessings from today’s verses because God never changes. The Church does not replace Israel, that’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying God’s character cannot change and He blesses His people; therefore we will be blessed as we work for the Kingdom!

(Mal 3:6a)  For I am the LORD, I change not;

Are you troubled today? Are you possibly the person who has been deceived by the world’s lies about what gender you are? Have you crossed that line and fear that you may have gone too far and God will never forgive you? There IS forgiveness to be had! That forgiveness can be found at the foot of the cross of Jesus when a sinner acknowledges that He died for sins just like yours – in fact, for all sin. There is no sin too great that He cannot forgive! But all you have to do is accept that forgiveness, repent of your sins and live for Him; proclaiming Him to all who will listen. Repentance is the key. You don’t see the sinner’s prayer in the Bible. But what you DO see in the Bible is a call to repent! (Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:16, Luke 13:3, 5) You may think it’s too late to turn back the clock, but it is not! Take it from someone who was ready to commit suicide, but God rushed someone to my side to tell me about His saving power!

Mat 11:28-30  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  (29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  (30)  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

There is truth to be found, reader! The truth and the future of our world is carefully written in the Bible so we could see what was to come. Friend, if you’re not sure where you will spend eternity, please settle the matter. Christian, if you’re not living your life for the Lord, there’s not much time left. We need to give the lost hope as we have hope! Friend, don’t be willfully ignorant of the end times. (2 Peter 3:5) If you are not born-again, confess your sins and repent of them. The time is coming when it will be too late for you to repent. You will remember each opportunity you were given by God to be saved; you will remember each time you laughed it off and ignored it. Please Reader, repent and accept Christ into your life. (Act 16:31, Rom 10:9) I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!