This morning as I drink my morning coffee in an airport, I fall in love once more with what the Message has done with these beautiful scriptures out of Isaiah. May we all remember what God has done for us out of His great love for us!
Isaiah 42:16 (The Message)
But I’ll take the hand of those who don’t know the way, who can’t see where they’re going.
I’ll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country.
I’ll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don’t fall into the ditch.
These are the things I’ll be doing for them – sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute.
Isaiah 43:1b-7
Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine.
When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.
When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end –
Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you; all of Egypt with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you!
I’d sell the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.
“So don’t be afraid: I’m with you.
I’ll round up all your scattered children, pull them in from east and west.
I’ll send orders north and south: ‘Send them back.
Return my sons from distant lands, my daughters from faraway places.
I want them back, every last one who bears my name, every man, woman and child
Whom I created for my glory, yes, personally formed and made each one.’”
Isaiah 43:10
“But you are my witnesses,” God’s Decree.
“You’re my handpicked servant so that you’ll come to know and trust me,
understand both that I am and who I am.”