fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397 
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Post by fearnot on Aug 9, 2024 10:40:14 GMT -5
It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain
And spreads them out like a tent to live in.
Isaiah 40:22
This verse speaks to the earth’s being a sphere
( not flat).
Someone might try to say,
that Isaiah could not have known
that the earth was a globe, a sphere,
in His day and age.
However,
these are not Isaiah's words and knowledge,
but rather,
this is from God,
to the prophet...
From the Creator,
who is all knowing,
and all powerful,
Infinite and eternal.
Therefore, the fact that the universe is expanding,
is also knowledge God has.
This is going to be a super short day...
I just keep falling asleep!
Done for Today
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Post by Cindy on Aug 11, 2024 9:45:46 GMT -5
I love what you wrote in this last one Barbara! God is awesome and so is His Word!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 14, 2024 9:07:34 GMT -5
Thank you Cindy!!!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 14, 2024 9:37:00 GMT -5
It is He who reduces rulers to nothing,
Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.
Isaiah 40:23
God can raise up rulers and bring them down,,
in human terms.
We see this truth in Job
He pours contempt on nobles
And loosens the belt of the strong.
Job 12:21
Also
He pours contempt upon nobles
And makes them wander in a pathless void.
Psalms 107:40
God is so much more powerful, than any human!
And the next verse expounds upon this:
Scarcely have they been planted,
Scarcely have they been sown,
Scarcely has their stock taken root in the earth,
But He merely blows on them, and they wither,
And the storm carries them away like stubble.
Isaiah 40:24
People are often compared to great majestic trees etc. of the earth...
and yet, they have hardly been 'planted' as great ( often evil) rulers etc.
then they die, and even their family becomes 'extinct'.
(Think for example of Pharaoh).
It's as if they never existed.
This can be a warning to us,
that we should not lean on mankind as our Saviors,
but on God.
Those who may dazzle us, can be blown away as so much fluff by God.
Done for Today
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Post by oliverwithatwist on Aug 14, 2024 12:23:01 GMT -5
The book of Isaiah is one of my favorites. Many/most theologians refer to it as the "fifth gospel". I agree.
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Post by Cindy on Aug 15, 2024 11:02:26 GMT -5
Amen Barbara! It reminds me of those in our day who get all worked up over some candidate for president as though that candidate can save us and the country, but not even the very best candidate can do anything unless it's God's Will. Many seem to forget that during presidential elections. They also forget that God tells us that we should not speak evil of anyone, and that we are to love fellow believers. But you sure don't see much of that at times! I don't know about now as I'm not online hardly at all, including Facebook. What little time I do spend on there, is very safe and doesn't include any political stuff from anyone as I've blocked it all years ago.  In fact, the main reason I blocked it all was because of the horrid behavior I was seeing from fellow believers. So now I just love everyone! 
I've heard that too John and love that! I've also heard this about Isaiah: Isaiah, the “Mount Everest of Hebrew prophecy,” resembles the Bible in miniature. Its first 39 chapters correspond to the 39 books of the OT & stress the righteousness, holiness, & justice of God. ... But the last 27 chapters correspond to the 27 books of the NT & portray God’s glory, compassion, & undeserved favor. Messiah will come as a Savior to bear a cross & as a Sovereign to wear a crown. Talk thru the Bible About Isaiah himself this book says: Isaiah, the “Saint Paul of the OT,” was evidently from a distinguished Jewish family & his wife was a prophetess.
And MacArthur says: Also known as the “evangelical Prophet,” Isaiah spoke much about the grace of God toward Israel, particularly in his last 27 chapters. He also mentions that it was during the time of Isaiah that false teeth were first invented in Italy!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 15, 2024 13:09:09 GMT -5
I had not heard that...so thank you both!!! :)
And the false teeth was an added bonus LOL
But cool!!!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 21, 2024 9:33:08 GMT -5
"To whom then will you compare Me
That I would be his equal?"
says the Holy One.
Isaiah 40:25
It is the extreme foolishness, to compare the
Creator, to anything or anybody.
Wood and stone 'idols' are just that...
wood and stone!
Neither wood or stone,
can hear, see, think, feel, or know anything.
Human idols are no comparison either!
Raise your eyes on high And see who has created these stars,
The One who brings out their multitude by number,
He calls them all by name;
Because of the greatness of His might
and the strength of His power,
Not one of them is missing.
Isaiah 40:26
Astrophysicists continually recalculate
mathematically, the number of stars
in the universe,
but as technology and telescopes etc.
become more advanced,
they have to change their estimates.
(always to a higher number!!).
But even as it stands today,
it is one thing to
come up with a mathematical number,
and another thing,
to ever actually have any grasp at all,
just how vast, boundless, massive etc. that number is.
It is too great a measure,
for our minds to actually be able to comprehend...
And yet,
God the Creator, calls each one by name!
But not only that!
God also, by forces He has created,
holds the universe together!
Which can only point to,
the absurdity of comparing the Creator God,
to pieces of wood or stone!
Therefore, in light of all that,
how could Israel...
even think,
for a moment,
that God was ignorant, or blind to,
or in the dark, concerning their situation?
Why do you say, Jacob, and you assert, Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD,
And the justice due me
escapes the notice of my God"?
Isaiah 40:27
This is a lesson for me, to be sure!
There are times when, I feel the same way.
However, these verses are a wake-up call to me...
not to be so naive, as to think,
God is not aware of my personal situation!
Done for today
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Post by oliverwithatwist on Aug 21, 2024 12:01:30 GMT -5
It always stuns me into contemplative thought that God knows the name of all the stars and that He knows the number of hairs on my head!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 21, 2024 19:15:58 GMT -5
Oliver: I so agree with you!!!
But...even more than that....
he knows every quantum piece in the universe
( not just molecules, or atoms...
but THE absolute tiniest piece of matter!!!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 26, 2024 10:45:36 GMT -5
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the LORD,
the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is unsearchable.
Isaiah 40:28
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To the Jews of those days thinking God did not care,
or maybe even did not have enough strength,
wisdom or power to help them,
they needed to consider
( and remember)
the truth about God.
( As we do today).
The Jews had many amazing,
wonderful and miraculous,
events in their history,
that they surely should have known,
That God was not too weak,
nor was He forgetful,
or powerless to help them.
Not even the universe,
which God Created,
could even begin to compare,
to God.
God is infinite and eternal,
all powerful,
His knowledge is endless.
And thus, God can also do this:
He gives strength to the weary,
And to the one who lacks might
He increases power.
Isaiah 40:29
God is more than able to console and give strength,
to the afflicted, down-trodden, weary and exhausted.
And He has said to me,
"My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is perfected in weakness.
Most gladly, therefore,
I will rather boast about my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
This also applies to us in our day.
Even the strongest, young people of any age,
get tired.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,....
Isaiah 40:30
In comparison God is never tired or exhausted,
His strength never gives out, it never fails!
The next verse,
which I hope to look at tomorrow,
is a very famous, and often quoted one!
Done for today.
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Post by Cindy on Aug 27, 2024 11:11:16 GMT -5
I really enjoyed reading what you wrote Barbara! You not only explain it, what you write is also very uplifting!
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Post by anna on Aug 27, 2024 22:20:02 GMT -5
Yes, how lovely and encouraging to read the hope and the confidence we can have in a loving God.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Sept 3, 2024 12:16:59 GMT -5
Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
Isaiah 40:31
I think that most believers, sooner or later
will come across this encouraging verse.
Notice though, it has to do first,
with waiting... 'patiently'.
Those who trust in their own strength,
will soon find their 'strength', very limited...
but trusting in God and His power,
is always encouraging and comforting.
This could refer to spiritual faith,
and/or also,
as well as physical strength.
It is neither a type of lazy waiting,
and being completely inactive,
nor personal strenuous exertion..
the point is that:
we keep our eyes, our hope, our faith,
on Jesus, in what God will do.
Hope in Yahweh;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Hope in Yahweh.
Psalm 27:14
I think the priority is in:
increased, strong faith,
and in a sense,
we fly high above such trials and tribulations
because our Lord is with us:
In every way afflicted,
but not crushed;
perplexed,
but not despairing
2 Corinthians 4:8
Done for today
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Post by anna on Sept 3, 2024 12:44:36 GMT -5
Amen !
 This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice .
I open a door for you that no man can close.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Sept 12, 2024 17:25:24 GMT -5
"Listen to Me in silence, you coastlands,
And let the peoples gain new strength;
Let them come forward, then let them speak;
Let's come together for judgment.
Isaiah 41:1
The coast lands are distant nations,
they are being summoned to God's court.
The encounter will be formidable,
so they can try and gain strength.
This is an investigation of is He able to protect His people.
They are to be silent when God speaks...He shall be heard.
We would all do well to listen to God!
"Who has stirred one from the east
Whom He calls in righteousness to His feet?
He turns nations over to him And subdues kings.
He makes them like dust with his sword,
Like the wind-driven chaff with his bow.
Isaiah 41:2
The one from the east was Cyrus of Persia,
( at least many Bible scholars have chosen him)...
Cyrus had been expanding his empire,
and conquered Babylon.
who stirred up Cyrus to carry out this conquest?
The answer is God did.
God can do whatever He chooses.
And though some commentators put up other kings etc.
(such as Abraham)
the same principle applies,no matter which king:
God reigns!
That being said, the prophet does mention Cyrus
It is I who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd!
And all My good pleasure he will complete.’
And saying of Jerusalem, ‘She will be built,’
And of the temple, ‘Your foundation will be laid.’”
Isaiah 44:28
Done for Today
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Sept 23, 2024 10:01:20 GMT -5
"He pursues them, passing on in safety,
By a way he had not been traversing with his feet.
Isaiah 41:3
Cyrus, accomplishes his acquisitions, and conquests,
with lack of difficulty,
and in places he had never before been.
"Who has performed and accomplished it,
Summoning the generations from the beginning?
'I, the LORD,
am the first, and with the last.
I am He.'"
Isaiah 41:4
How did these things happen?
Was it Cyrus,
who accomplished everything by himself,
just by human skill?
No, it was God, who raised Cyrus up.
God orchestrates all of human history.
'I am' as God's name,
was originally given to Moses
by God.
God said to Moses,
“I am who I am.”
And he said,
“Say this to the people of Israel:
‘I am has sent me to you.’”
Exodus 3:14
God was before all of human history,
and He will exist
after this earth had died.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,”
says the Lord God,
“who is
and who was
and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 1:8
Also:
I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the first and the last,
the beginning and the end.”
Revelation 22:13
This is a messianic title,
that Jesus applied to Himself....
as a declaration of His deity!
God exists forever and ever.
God is the one who gives blessings:
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:17
Done for Today
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Post by Cindy on Sept 24, 2024 9:17:43 GMT -5
You know, I was thinking about what you said about waiting patiently on the Lord. That can be hard for us to do at times. Especially since we're generally waiting for Him to answer our prayers the way we want Him to. Someone in church made a statement last Sunday that really hit me hard. He said we had to stop thinking we knew what was best or who was best, and instead "humble ourselves" by seeking God's heart on the matter and not assuming we know what's best. I know I do that a lot. I have a whole list of things I ask the Lord for, for myself, my family and friends, including you guys. But now, I'm going to try seeking His face about each one, including me, and see how that goes instead. It just feels right to me. What do you guys think?
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Post by oliverwithatwist on Sept 25, 2024 8:25:45 GMT -5
I usually end my prayers with "in Jesus' name I pray, Thy will be done not mine".
He seems to know better what to do than I. LOL!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Sept 25, 2024 10:23:52 GMT -5
Very good point Cindy!
I also often end my prayers, in:
nevertheless, not my will, but you will be done.
Sometimes adding, please help me to accept your will and your timing Lord Jesus.
Because, the truth is, I still often wish for it to be my will.
That is especially true when praying for the unsaved in my family....
But then I also know:
"The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay,
but is patient with you,
not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
So again, His timing, not mine.
And sometimes, I want the pain to stop, NOW!!!!
But I realized there can be a lot to learn from pain...
plus, it can remind me, that, the pain anyone of us suffers,
is a drop in the universe, compared to what our Lord and Savior,
Jesus suffered.
So God's will may not be to stop pain.... just now.
It's not always physical pain, it can be emotional
or depression etc.
And so on.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Oct 7, 2024 15:10:17 GMT -5
The coastlands have seen and are afraid;
The ends of the earth tremble;
They have approached
and have come.
Isaiah:41:5
Instead of calling on God, the people panic in fear,
and rebellion.
Each one helps his neighbor
And says to his brother,
"Be strong!"
Isaiah:41:6
Instead of calling on God,
they call to each other for help.
So the craftsman encourages the smelter,
And he who smooths metal with the hammer
encourages him who beats the anvil,
Saying of the soldering, "It is good";
And he fastens it with nails, So that it will not totter.
Isaiah:41:7
Instead of calling on the true and living God,
they 'encourage' each other,
with false dead idols,
Idols that need to be fastened and secured,
to walls etc.,
with nails...
or it might fall over!
This is not only rebellious but outright madness!
However there is one nation which did not follow all the rest!
Prayerfully, I will get to that soon....
Done for today.
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Post by Cindy on Oct 9, 2024 10:36:40 GMT -5
Thanks for your replies about finding God's will instead of telling Him what ours is. I think about that a lot when I'm praying now. Like when I pray for healing for my daughter, I used to pray He would heal her by using certain methods or supernaturally. Now I realize that I don't need to tell him how to do something and it embarrasses me to think I ever have.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Oct 9, 2024 13:15:19 GMT -5
Well truthfully....I am still not 100% cured of asking for MY will to be done in MY timing! sigh :(
But then....
I tack on:
"Nevertheless not MY will but Thine and not MY timing but Yours"...
And I do mean it....
But....... sometimes.......
I know there is still a smidge of
but whhhyyyyy can't you do it MY way, in MY timing?
And so sometimes,
I almost feel like I am doing a stupid mantra
because, I may have to say to myself and to Jesus
4 or 5 times in a row ( or even more)
Your will,
your timing.
And sometimes, if I am having a bad day of depression...
( Yes, I am taking thoughts captive....
but the trouble with some 'captives'....
is they are very very very sneaky....
and they know how to escape the prison!
So I may have to be saying that ALL day long.
This of course is not every day.
However, sometimes like if it's like
a very bad flare-up
that does NOT last just a few hours or one day
but can be several days....or longer.
So does the depression last.
But I KNOW God's will and timing is perfect
and there is a reason for delays
( like spiritual growth, gratitude when Jesus answers, etc.)
I just wanted to clear that up
otherwise it might sound
uppity or snooty or bragging, etc.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Oct 10, 2024 13:28:38 GMT -5
"But you, Israel,
My servant,
Jacob whom I have chosen,
Descendant of Abraham
My friend,
Isaiah 41:8
The faithful nation, is called God's
servant,
but an even higher designation,
is Abraham,
who is called:
friend.
Of course, this is a wonderful position
and honor,
to be in,
because it is an undeserved favor,
grace, from God.
It gets even better:
You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth
And called from its remotest parts,
And said to you,
'You are My servant,
I have chosen you
and have not rejected you.
Isaiah 41:9
God keeps His promises,
then, now, and in the future.
Israel is His chosen people,
and they had received,
are receiving,
and will receive His loving kindness.
God chose them and loves them!
Nothing can be greater than to be chosen and loved by God!
But also the next verse is wonderful!!
'Do not fear,
for I am with you;
Do not be afraid,
for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
I will also help you,
I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
Isaiah 41:10
It is true that Israel suffered consequences
for their sins from time to time.
Nevertheless, they did not need to fear God,
for He will be faithful to restore
them back to their land and nation.
This is full of great consolation,
pity, and love for them.
God will be with them,
as their protector...
therefore they can remain calm,
and not be afraid or fearful.
We too can stand firm,
on the blessings of God,
even tho, there may be times or trials
and tribulations...
He was their God and our God,
He is all powerful, all knowing,
infinite, eternal, and all loving.
God is faithful, even when we are not.
He loved them, and He loves us.
What wonderful, uplifting verses!!
Done for today.
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Post by oliverwithatwist on Oct 10, 2024 15:22:41 GMT -5
Thanks for your replies about finding God's will instead of telling Him what ours is. I think about that a lot when I'm praying now. Like when I pray for healing for my daughter, I used to pray He would heal her by using certain methods or supernaturally. Now I realize that I don't need to tell him how to do something and it embarrasses me to think I ever have. |
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Oct 11, 2024 11:19:34 GMT -5
"Behold, all those who are angered at you
will be shamed and dishonored;
Those who contend with you will be
as nothing and will perish.
"Behold, all those who are angered at you
will be shamed and dishonored;
Those who contend with you will
be as nothing and will perish.
Isaiah 41:11
First off, this reminds me of Israel,
and all those who hate her,
this VERY day!
And to this very day,
the enemies of Israel,
are numerous,
jealous,
and full of hate.....
but they continue to be weakened, shamed and dishonored,
and eventually they are overcomed, destroyed, and they perish.
In fact....
"You will seek those who quarrel with you,
but will not find them,
Those who war with you
will be as nothing
and non-existent.
Isaiah 41:12
Of course, this is because,
of the God of Israel...
the ONLY God!
They were at war,
and you need to see the enemy
in order to fight...
However, after some time,
they will search for the enemies..
but the enemies all have ceased to exist.
I think we are watching
much of this
even on this very day,
with Israel and the many enemies,
surrounding Israel,
trying to destroy her,
and God keeps doing miracles,
so even when close to 200 ballistic missiles are launched at Israel,
not one Jew dies....
( just one Arab),
But again, this next verse
is such an uplifting promise from God,
it reminds me of what Jesus has said.
"For I am the LORD
your God
who takes hold of your right hand,
Who says to you,
'Do not fear, I will help you.'
Isaiah 41:13
Throughout scripture Jesus makes this promise:
Nevertheless,
I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
Psalm 73:23
one more:
... behold, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20 (b)
But this is for ALL
who are His,
to the Jew first,
but also those
of us
( many many Christians grafted in).
I can't think of a better gift,
Jesus loves us, died and paid for ALL our sins,
and is with us forever!
Done for Today.
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Post by oliverwithatwist on Oct 11, 2024 12:46:02 GMT -5
Barbara, these verses and your commentary is so right on target and timely for this very moment in time.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Oct 11, 2024 16:24:49 GMT -5
Thank you Oliver!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Oct 18, 2024 9:38:18 GMT -5
Speaking of timely right up to this day,
are the next few verses ( in my opinion.)
"Do not fear, you worm Jacob,
you people of Israel;
I will help you," declares the LORD,
"and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 41:14
When I first read this,
I thought, God was calling
Jacob..... a worm!
But I then read MacArthur's commentary note
and he said:
That is what the ungodly nations,
in contempt called Israel!
Kind of like the ever growing anti semitism
today!
I honestly can't think of any other group of people,
that have been so despised and persecuted for so long!
MacArthur goes on to remind us,
that term was also used of Jesus.
Behold even the moon has no brightness,
And the stars are not pure in His sight;
6 How much less mortal man, that maggot,
And the son of man, that worm!”
Job 25:5-6
and
But I am a worm and not a man,
A reproach of men and despised by the people.
Psalms 22:6
And others.
However, we ( and they),
often forget,
We have a helper,
and kinsman Redeemer.
Even IF, God was calling Israel a worm....
nevertheless, with His help,
those 'worms'
would someday,
do this:
"Behold, I turned you into
a new, sharp threshing sledge with double edges;
You will thresh the mountains and pulverize them,
And make the hills like chaff.
Isaiah 41:15
So these 'worms' will grind and pulverize
the mountains ( symbolic for the ungodly nations),
into basically....nothingness.
This struck me as a pretty accurate symbol,
because real worms actually do,
pulverize the earth,
tho they are small weak invertebrate animals!
However, God can give humans,
power they did not have before,
so that they can have victory over enemies,
much larger and stronger
(such as the Jews who were
and still are,
a small number of people).
I think we are watching this happen again before our eyes!
This very day,
Israel is fighting up to 7 countries at one time!!!
Israel is a very tiny wee small nation,
and their enemies,
have vast amounts of land, gold, oil, people etc. etc.
But God, continues to give the Jews miracle after miracle!
And those nations are indeed being ground down,
before our eyes!!!
I don't think it's hard to guess,
I am a 'tad' supportive of, side with,
advocate for, champion, root for,
stand by, sympathize with etc. etc.
Israel!
They are God's people,
and I take
totally and completely to heart,
God's word:
I will bless those who bless you,
and the one who curses you I will curse,
and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you"
Genesis 12:3:
Done for today
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Post by Cindy on Oct 23, 2024 12:35:44 GMT -5
I agree with John, Barbara. I always get a lot from your commentaries!Thanks for your replies about finding God's will instead of telling Him what ours is. I think about that a lot when I'm praying now. Like when I pray for healing for my daughter, I used to pray He would heal her by using certain methods or supernaturally. Now I realize that I don't need to tell him how to do something and it embarrasses me to think I ever have.
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In fact, the main reason I blocked it all was because of the horrid behavior I was seeing from fellow believers. So now I just love everyone! 
This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice .
!!
