ISAIAH 41:8-13 – THINGS TO REMEMBER
CONSISTENTLY HIS #3
I began the sermon by sharing several quotes of a positive nature beginning with word, “Remember”.
Now if you think that some of these reminders are good, I’ve got news for you, the Bible has even better reminders, some of which are found right here in Isaiah 41:8-13.
These reminders are for times when we are burdened, discouraged, worried, concerned, troubled, or out of sorts about anything going on in our lives.
These reminders as we strive to live consistent lives, as consistently His.
Isaiah gives us three important reminders here:
This passage was written to the nation Israel. However as F. C. Jennings said, “What is true for Israel …is true of us each as in Christ.” F. C. Jennings, Studies in Isaiah, (Neptune, NJ, Loizeaux Brothers, 1935, 7th printing, 1974), p. 482
REMEMBER YOU ARE SPECIAL – Vss. 8-9
Sometimes it is hard for us to think of ourselves as special when we are having problems. But it is helpful and healthy to remember that God considers us to be special.
Vs. 8 – Israel was God’s servant. If you know Jesus as your Savior, you are God’s servant.
Paul, James, and Peter considered themselves servants of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:15-16 – For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: [16] As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
Again, if you know Jesus as Savior, you are a disciple of Jesus Christ. Luke 9:23
If you are a disciple of God the Son, you are a servant of God.
Why is it significant in times of trouble to remember that you are God’s servant? God takes care of His own! Romans 8:28
God is not like some irresponsible employees who don’t care about those who work for them. God takes a special interest in each and every one of His servants. He does that because every servant of God is also a Child of God. 1 John 3:1, Romans 8:16-17
Not only are we servants of God according to verse 8, but we are also chosen by God. If you know Jesus Christ as Savior you are one of God’s chosen. Jesus called believers “the elect”. If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior, trust Him for forgiveness of sin and eternal life and be one of the elect.
If you are elect you are certainly special! Ephesians 1:3-6
And as chosen of God I need not fear the future. John 10:27-31
And there’s more. Not only are we special because we are God’s servants and because we are God’s chosen, but we are special because we are of the seed of Abraham.
Abraham was God’s friend. Because we are of Abraham’s seed, are also the friends of God.
You may be thinking, “I’m not Abraham’s seed, his descendent, because I’m not Jewish.”
Abraham was the “Father of faith.”
Those who have faith in Christ are of the seed of Abraham. We are Abraham’s spiritual descendants. Galatians 3:7-9
Abraham was a friend of God. As His seed, we are the friends of God! But there’s more. Jesus called His disciples His friends. John 15:13-15
You might know what it is like to have a good friend who sticks by you no matter what. Proverbs 17:17, 18:24
Jesus is your friend. God is your friend if you know Jesus Christ as your Savior. You have no better friend than Jesus!
Vs. 9 – This verse reminds me that we as a group of Christians are special. God has called us from all lands, all colors and all races to be His children!
And He promise not to cast us away. Hebrews 13:5-6
REMEMBER YOU ARE STRENGTHENED – Vs. 10
God says “fear thou not, for I am with thee”
You are not going anywhere without God today! Psalm 139:7-10
Not only are you not going anywhere without God today, but we need not be dismayed or panic because He is your God! Psalm 48:14
Notice the three promises we have in this verse.
· “I WILL STRENGTHEN THEE”
God promises to give you strength for every situation.
And remember He is the God that does the impossible. Philippians 4:13, Luke 1:37
· “I WILL HELP THEE”
Are you facing a financial crisis? God says, “I will help you.”
Are you facing a family crisis? God says, “I will help you.”
Are you facing a work crisis? God says, “I will help you.”
Are you facing a health crisis? God says, “I will help you.”
How is it that sometimes it seems that God is not helping us?
Sometimes we are not asking for help. He wants us to ask.
Sometimes we ask for the wrong reasons. James 4:2-3
Sometimes we ask for help and for the right reasons but we lack faith. James 1:5-8
· “I WILL UPHOLD THEE WITH THE RIGHT HAND OF MY RIGHTEOUSNESS”
What did you do for your children when they learned to walk? You held them up!
Let me tell you my friend, in this life with all it’s problems and challenges, I’m still learning to walk!
I intend to let God hold me up!
Let’s not be like some children who squirm to get out of a parents helpful grasp.
Let’s willingly put up those hands, saying, “Father, please hold me up!”
REMEMBER YOU ARE SUPERIOR – Vss. 11-13
I’ll admit that the message of these verses is similar to the message of verse 10. But I take these verses as telling us “the victory is ours.”
Vs. 11 – Who is the greatest enemy you have?
Your biggest enemy is Satan and all his demons!
What is Satan trying to do to you?
He is trying to deceive you.
He is trying to devour you.
He is trying to destroy you.
He is trying to discourage you. 1 Peter 5:8, 2 Corinthians 11:14-15
But Satan is a defeated foe! Revelation 20:10
Even now you are not obligated to serve Satan.
The victory is found in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ! Romans 6:10-14
Vs. 12 – And there will be a day when you enemies will all disappear.
Vs. 13 – In the meantime, we have nothing to fear. God will help us, if we let Him, and give us victory through every situation.
I want to conclude with two great victory passages: Romans 8:35-39 – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. [37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. [38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Jude 1:24-25 – Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, [25] To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
So, this very encouraging passage in Isaiah challenges us to remember 3 things:
REMEMBER YOU ARE SPECIAL – Vss. 8-9
REMEMBER YOU ARE STRENGTHENED – Vs. 10
REMEMBER YOU ARE SUPERIOR – Vss. 11-13