Isaiah 41:13 | From the Inside Out

Posts Tagged ‘Isaiah 41:13’

Look What I Did!

Posted in Appreciation, Blessings, Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Provision, Uncategorized, tagged Faith in God, God's Goodness, God's help, God's Provision, Isaiah 41:13, Psalm 121:2, Psalm 37:5, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 54:4 on March 13, 2025| 36 Comments »

“Look what I did!” declares the proud preschooler, pointing to a plate of chocolate chip cookies. Except she didn’t make them—not without a lot of help.

Nana read the recipe; she couldn’t read yet.

Nana gathered most of the ingredients; the child couldn’t reach up into the cabinets.

Nana picked the eggshell-pieces out of the bowl after exuberant egg-tapping on the rim.

Nana helped to accurately measure ingredients and thoroughly scrape the bowl.

Nana adjusted the dollops of dough on the cookie sheet, making them similar-sized for even baking.

Nana put the cookies in the oven and later retrieved them, then set them on cooling racks so little hands didn’t get burned.

And yet the preschooler thinks she made the cookies.

We might chuckle at her unrealistic view of the circumstances, until the realization dawns: we’ve exhibited our own unrealistic view of our circumstances with God.

Perhaps, like me, you’ve run ahead of God, assuming you can handle the challenge ahead. I’ve also been guilty of taking credit when, in reality, my efforts would be worthless without him.

Truth be told, not a moment goes by that God is not helping us in one way or another.

Sometimes his help is demonstrated in monumental ways, as he attends to situations outside our range of capability or influence. I’ve written about such experiences in our family.*

Sometimes God comes alongside in ways that are more easily overlooked. For example:

One of those times when I was plagued by writer’s block, I sensed God telling me, “Wait till morning. Rest.” Immediately upon waking, an idea occurred.

God settled a bout of sciatica, and I was able to accomplish everything necessary before house guests arrived.

Joy-filled, supportive friendships have spanned the years of our lives.

Sometimes God brings to mind a bit of his wisdom or an anecdote to share, and the listener expresses sincere appreciation.

Those close calls on the roadways offer perfect examples of his intervention.

On occasion, sacred insight comes in the form of a quote:

Oh yes, I need God’s help not to become proud (“Look how God has blessed ME!”), greedy (“Thanks for your all blessings, Lord, but I need this too!”), or take for granted God’s benevolence and never thank him at all.

In addition, God would have us understand:

His help often comes gradually. Think of:

Joseph, languishing in prison until Pharoah calls for him to interpret his dream (Exodus 39:19-41:43)

David, living as a fugitive until God fulfills his promise to make him king (1 Samuel 16-31; 2 Samuel 1-2)

The Israelite captives, waiting in Babylon for God to raise up a leader (Nehemiah 1-2)

Remember:

He often helps when we least expect it.

Think of:

The widow of Zarephath, expecting to die during famine—until the prophet Elijah arrives (1 Kings 17:7-16)

Daniel, expecting to die in the lions’ den–until God shut their mouths (Daniel 6)

Jonah, expecting to die within the great fish—until his release on dry ground (Jonah 2)

In addition:

God’s help always comes to those with faith.

The psalmists offer a starter-list of affirmations:

“Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you” (Psalm 37:5 NLT).

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1 NIV).

“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2).

May we live by such truths, and when help materializes, may we be quick to proclaim, “Look with GOD did!”

How has God helped you? Please share in the comments below!

* Examples include: Come and See What God Has Done, After the Fact, and God of the Unexpected (see the illustration at the end for this last one).

Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.pexels.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.heartlight.org.

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HELP!

Posted in Bible Study, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Provision, Uncategorized, Waiting on God, tagged 2 Chronicles 14:11, ants, ants storing food for winter, Isaiah 41:13, Psalm 121:1-2, Psalm 54:4, Psalm 72:12, Waiting on God on March 21, 2024| 42 Comments »

Addison Ant and other members of his colony twittered with worry. They hadn’t been able to collect enough food for winter due to a summer drought. How could they possibly survive?

“I have an idea,” Addison announced to the ant council. “Let’s ask Farmer Ezra to help! He harvested his winter wheat before the drought began. Perhaps he’ll donate a bit to us .”

Addison instinctively brushed his right antennae with a foreleg and looked expectantly at the group. Some were shaking their heads.

“He doesn’t care about us,” countered one.

“Sure he does,” replied Addison. “Farmer Ezra could have destroyed us by now if he’d wanted, but he hasn’t.” Addison paused. “So who will go with me?”

No one answered.

“Then I’ll go by myself,” he declared.

Late that afternoon, Addison marched up the hill toward the farmhouse, about an hour away. He arrived just as Farmer Ezra returned from milking his cows. Taking a deep breath, Addison shouted as loudly as he could. “Kind sir! Kind sir!”

Farmer Ezra looked about for the source of the small voice. His eyes finally rested on an ant whose whole body was a-quiver. He’d never witnessed such behavior. Farmer Ezra bent down to investigate.

And now that Addison had the farmer’s attention, he began to deliver the speech he’d prepared while walking.

“Please, sir. I’ve come from the ant colony in the southeast corner of the pasture. You may have noticed we never approach your house or cause mischief as other ants do.

“But I have come today because we’ve been unable to gather enough seeds during the drought to carry us through the winter. If you could spare us a few handfuls of wheat grains, then we can survive until spring. I beg you, sir!”

Farmer Ezra heard the desperation in the little ant’s voice. His eyes drifted to the fields where weeks earlier acres and acres of wheat had flourished.

Even after a semi had taken 20,000 tons of wheat to the train, his personal supply of wheatberries was plentiful. He wouldn’t even miss a few handfuls.

Farmer Ezra smiled down upon the ant. “All right. I will help you,” he replied. “Tomorrow morning when I take the cows to pasture, I’ll bring a small sack of wheat for your colony. Then you and your friends can transport the berries down into your tunnels.”

“Oh, kind sir!” Addison Ant’s antennae danced with glee. “I cannot thank you enough. Never will we forget your compassion!”

* * *

No doubt you can guess that Addison typifies us— minute (compared to God), needy, and often helpless.

Farmer Ezra[1] represents our Heavenly Father: all-sufficient, capable, and compassionate.

Note in the verse above the psalmist did not say God will immediately deliver. Though his help frequently comes in the moment, as it did for Addison Ant, sometimes we have to wait [2].

Ah! But even then God provides help–building our confidence, strengthening our faith, and granting peace–as we:

Hope in his promises.

Promises such as Isaiah 41:13:

I am the LORD, your God,

who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you,

Do not fear; I will help you.

Isaiah 41:13 NIV (emphasis added)

Other promises worthy of contemplation include: Psalm 46:1, Isaiah 41:10, and Hebrews 4:16.

Embrace God’s truth.

Like Addison and his fellow ants, we are insufficient in ourselves. But with King David we can affirm:

When King David wrote that verse, he was a hunted man. Yet he didn’t question God’s help, he affirmed and embraced it. We’d do well to do the same.

Lean on God’s record of faithfulness.

Consider how God has proven himself throughout our lives—in his provision, protection, and direction.

Review his help in the past and experience joy.

The Lord has done great things for us,

and we are filled with joy.

Psalm 126:3 NIV

Pray with confidence.

We can pray as King Asa did:

And so, even while we wait for help, God provides help as we:

H ope in his promises
E mbrace his truth
L ean on his record of faithfulness
P ray with confidence in his all-sufficiency

Addison Ant would also have us remember: whatever our trouble, it is minuscule compared to God’s power and resources!

Notes:

[1] Ezra in Hebrew means help, support, assistance, aid, either human or divine

[2] A previous post explores the topic of waiting on God: https://nancyaruegg.com/2021/07/22/are-we-there-yet/

Sources:

Charles Spurgeon, Morning by Morning, 18.

https://dtermination.com/what-do-ants-do-in-the-winter

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Antidotes for What Ails You

Posted in Blessings, Encouragement, Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Power, God's Provision, Perseverance, Renewing the Mind, Uncategorized, tagged anxiety, comfort, Discouragement, Faith, Hope, Isaiah 41:13, Psalm 145:14, Psalm 147:3, Psalm 94:19, Spiritual Strength on March 7, 2024| 29 Comments »

We’ve all had days when discouragement, inadequacy, hurt, or fear want to plague our spirits. And we find our own weak efforts do little to ease the distress.

BUT!

Praise God he provides the antidote for every malady of the soul.

What follows is a list of ways he accomplishes that healing and binding [1]. I pray these declarations may be just the antidote to strengthen your inner being:

When we worry; he reassures.

When I worried about many things,

your assuring words soothed my soul.

—Psalm 94:19 GWT

When we stress, he soothes.

“Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead’s deepest sea; be lost in His immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated.

“I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead.”

—Charles Spurgeon

When we stagger; he steadies.

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;

he will never let the righteous be shaken.

—Psalm 55:22 NIV

When we struggle; he strengthens.

“With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it, and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack?” — A. W. Tozer [2]

When we falter; he lifts up.

The Lord upholds all who fall

and lifts up all who are bowed down.

—Psalm 145:14

When we fail; he forgives.

“With [God], each day—each moment—is a clean slate” — Aliza Latta [3].

When we forget; he reminds.

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand;

it is I who say to you,

“Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

—Isaiah 41:13 ESV

When we doubt; he affirms.

Dismantle doubts with declarations of truth from God’s Word, truths that remind us: his character is flawless, his actions are righteous, his power is unlimited, his love is unfailing, his faithfulness unending [4].

When we regret; he forgets.

I will forgive their sins and will

no longer remember their wrongs.”

—Hebrews 8:12 GNT

When we hunger; he fills.

Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness]

are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

[those who actively seek right standing with God],

for they will be [completely] satisfied.

—Matthew 5:6 AMP

When we’re bent; he repairs.

“God is mercifully shaping our lives into what is useful and beautiful” — Eugene Peterson [5].

When we desire wrongly; he directs rightly.

For it is God who is working in you,

enabling you both to desire

and to work out his good purpose.

—Philippians 2:13 HCSB

When we’re uncertain; he guides.

“Happy are those who place their hands in that of the Great Guide. He will bring them all the way and when he has brought them home to glory and has opened their eyes to see the way by which he has led them, what a song of gratitude will they sing unto God! Lord, lead your poor blind child this day, for I know not my way” — Charles Spurgeon [6].

When we’re discouraged; he inspires

He would have us know: “Nothing under My control can ever be out of control. Everything you need I know about in every detail. Remember, I am able to supply, to guide, to start, to stop, to sustain, to change, to correct in My time and for My purposes” [7] .

Again and again he provides the antidote for every need of our souls.

Our part is simply to receive.

[1] “Binding” in Psalm 147:3 intimates holding together while an injury heals. God often allows time in combination with his antidotes to accomplish healing, fostering inner strength and perseverance in the process (James 1:2-4).

[2] Knowledge of the Holy, 70.

[3] www.incourage.com, 1-19-19

[4] Exodus 32:4; Psalm 145:17; Job 36:22-23; Psalm 117:1-2; 100:5

[5] Run with the Horses, 79.

[6] Faith’s Checkbook, March 23.

[7] Based on statements made by Chuck Swindoll in Intimacy with the Almighty, 73.

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Perfect Love Drives Out Fear

Posted in Courage, Encouragement, Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Love, God's Presence, God's Promises, God's Provision, Uncategorized, Worry, tagged 1 John 4:18, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, God's Love, God's Presence, God's Strength, God's Wisdom, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 41:13, Trust in God, Worry on January 20, 2014| 20 Comments »

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.”
1 John 4:18a

M-m-m. Interesting. John doesn’t say perfect courage drives out fear. Not even perfect faith. Why does he say perfect love will drive out fear?

First of all, this verse is not talking about fears of financial ruin or life-threatening events. Verse eighteen gives us the context. John is talking about Judgment Day. He’s reminding us that, if we know Jesus, there is nothing to fear when we leave this earth for eternity. Jesus gave his life to save us from the consequences of our sin. Our place in heaven is secure, if our faith is in him.

And once that matter has been settled, other fear-producing questions can be put in proper perspective. We have to remind ourselves that earthly life fades quickly like the leaves (Isaiah 64:6). These questions will cease to matter–questions like:

Will my job survive the cutbacks?
Will I be able to keep my health insurance?
Will my kids make it through their personal crisis?

But such questions can cause torment to the point of ulcers and high blood pressure. If we allow fear to control us, we’re saying that the troubles we face are more powerful than our God.

So here are a few ways to fight against fear:

Rename your difficulties as possibilities—possibilities for God to do something glorious. Without a problem, there’s no opportunity for a miracle.

Picture God Almighty accompanying you all day long. He’s standing right behind you at the sink. He’s sitting beside you in the car. His ever-watchful eye is upon you, his infinite strength is available to you, and his perfect wisdom will guide you.

Don’t feed your fear with worry; feed your faith with the truth of God’s Word. Psalm 23 is a perfect place to begin. Remember verse four? “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Listen to what he says: “I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you (Isaiah 41:13). Visualize God holding you by the hand as you walk through each day.

Years ago, when a I was a young teenager, my family visited Lookout Mountain in Tennessee. Dad and I were hiking over the mountain paths when we came to a deep, narrow ravine. He easily jumped across, turned, and held out his hand for me.

“I can do it myself,” I announced confidently. Then I looked down into that deep ravine. What if I fall? I thought. Grinning sheepishly at Dad, I said, “’Guess you’d better help me after all!” I had great confidence in my father. I knew he loved me and would never let me fall.

God is ready to walk hand-in-hand with me along the mountain paths of life. Problems arise, though, when I repeat that moment on Lookout Mountain and focus on the ravine, the what-ifs. The result? I’m frozen with fear.

How downright foolish of me, when my loving, trustworthy Heavenly Father has assured me:

“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” (Isaiah 41:10, The Message).

You see, perfect love drives out fear because we can trust the perfect love of our perfect God.

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From the Inside Out

Impressions Becoming Expressions

Posts Tagged ‘Isaiah 41:13’

Look What I Did!

HELP!

Antidotes for What Ails You

Perfect Love Drives Out Fear

Nancy Ruegg

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