A Christian counselor once recommended I read the book of Isaiah. At that time in my life, I was overwhelmed by how badly I felt physically plus discouraged with my lack of focus and inability to find any passion and purpose. Reading through the book of Isaiah was the beginning of the end of that valley.
The book of Isaiah focuses on the message of rescue and restoration. Today, several passages from this Old Testament book serve as compass verses to encourage me whenever I sense that I am becoming overwhelmed with the maladies and even just the routine of life again. Even more importantly, they refocus my feelings and bring me to a place of being overwhelmed with God instead of with life.
The 2nd verse in chapter 12 is highlighted to help focus me on expressing praise for my salvation. The 3rd and 4th verses of chapter 6 speak to perfect peace. Don’t you love the idea of a peace that is perfect? There are several verses in chapter 30 and 33 highlighted that emphasize waiting. They remind me that when we truly wait on the Lord, we discover He was waiting for us to wait on Him. Chapter 40 has several verses highlighted focusing on the comfort that God offers His people.
While there are many verses I have highlighted in Isaiah, and really the entire book encourages and uplifts me, two verses serve as an anchor in times of discouragement. When I first read the verse in the Spring of 2010, I truly felt like God spoke directly to me. The Bible is certainly one way God speaks to us, and this was definitely an “ah hah” moment like never before for me.
“Do not call to mind the former things or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the dessert.” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
I certainly felt lost in an endless forest and at the same time stranded in the middle of a dry desert. Those verses assured me that God had plans for me that I couldn’t even imagine. When I thought the way out and through was impossible, these verses reminded me that what God did for Israel, He would do for me too. He took my focus off the past and the way my life had been and focused me on the future He had planned. I became overwhelmed with Him once again.
God did and continues to make a path in the forest and a stream in the desert for me. He healed my body. He restored my marriage. He worked and continues to work in amazing way in my boys’ lives. He healed me from depression and continues to give me victory over that area of weakness in my life. He also gave me a passion for writing again, and in that a purpose to do His will with a writing ministry. My imaginations never came close to guessing at what God has done in my life since then. I love that about God. He always does way better than we can imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)
When I am discouraged, reading through the verses I have highlighted in Isaiah never fails to encourage me. Not only am I encouraged, but every time I read them a sense of awe and overwhelm with God fills me once again. Much like a compass gives our wanderings on this earth direction, God’s words in Isaiah give my spirit direction as I struggle to victory this side of heaven.
Kelly Combs
Everyone needs compass versus! I love the verses you shared and how they affected you. My verses are in Philippians 4. They fill me with encouragement.
Kari Scare
"Be anxious for nothing…" Love that one too! Goes right along with the idea of "perfect peace."
Mark Allman
Hi Kari,
I like you post and I printed it out to share with my daughter.
Mark
Kari Scare
Thanks Mark. I love it when God works this way. How old is your daughter?
Mark Allman
24… Middle School Math teacher…. Hoping she will use it like you.
Mary Jeffries
I too lovw Philippians 4…especially verse 13…..but then I discovered Joshua 1….Do not be afraid….fear holds us back from being all God has called us to be, from doing what we think is impossible, but it is not in Him. thanks for sharing Kari. God Bless, Mary Jeffries, friend of Tom Tarver
Kari Scare
Oh yeah, Joshua is another great one. Love how God uses repetition!
Kari Scare
Next fall, both my boys will be in middle school. I have a tremendous (and somewhat newfound) respect for middle school teachers. Oh how I wished I relied on God's word more when I was her age. You are being a good dad.
tnealtarver
I've written this before in response to your reference to Isaiah (whether here or on my blog, I don't remember) but I love Isaiah. To me, God's heart beats from beginning to end. Isaiah 6: "In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord high and lifted up …" is one of my favorite reminders that, in times of upheaval and uncertainty, God remains in a position of authority. He's the unshakeable rock.
Kari Scare
Thank you for pointing Isaiah 6 out again. I love how the Bible is alway fresh, new and relevant and has a word for all ages! That verse is now highlighted too.
MOM
Micah: "But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior, my God will hear me".
One of so many promises that we have to hold on to.
Kari Scare
That is definitely a good one! 🙂
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