Each day we will memorize one verse from Isaiah 40 (that correlates with the day- verse 1 for October 1, etc.). We will also take a closer look at each verse
for the day and how it reveals God’s character to us. Personal
insights and testimony will be shared by myself and a handful of special
guests throughout this series. Lastly, you will be exhorted to take action and respond to what God is showing you in the Deep Breaths section at the end of each post.
Now, let’s begin.
Isaiah 40:1 “Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God.”
I am really glad that verse 1 is so short for memorization purposes. Here are a few tips and tricks that can help when memorizing scripture:
1. Ask God for help. It is His Word after all, and nothing is too hard for Him. Ask Him to help you memorize the verse(s).
2. Write out the verse. Choose a 3×5 card or sticky note, and write out the verse. The act of writing it and seeing it in your own handwriting can help it stick.
3. Make up a song or beat to go with the verse. I still can recite Psalm 126:3 from learning it nine years ago while volunteering for Vacation Bible School. They taught it by using a sing-song beat, and it stuck. My family often rolls their eyes at me when I make up cheesy songs or raps for verses, but it really does help to get them in your mind and heart.
4. Practice saying it out loud; a lot! The most success I had in memorizing was when I asked Darling Daughter to quiz me several times a week on the verses I was memorizing. She enjoyed seeing if I could get it, and guess what? She started learning them herself. It helps to read them through and practice saying them several times a day. Try and pick certain times of the day (like meals, or when you brush your teeth- assuming you brush your teeth more than once a day).
So take a moment and write down this verse, and try out these tips today. With God’s help, we can do this!
Isaiah 40:1 “Comfort, O comfort My people”, says your God.”
For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.”
2. His Word
3. From Others (especially from those who have gone through what we are going through)
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.“
Recently, our community, as well as our church and homeschool group, experienced a great loss. A young teenager was in a car/bike accident and passed away. As you can imagine there are many grieving, calling out to God, and trying to understand the “why’s”. It has been a very tough time for many, especially his wonderful family. I am so thankful for the God of all comfort; who calls those who believe in Him, His people; who speaks to us, even, and maybe especially now.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
Deep Breaths:
1. Recall a specific time when God comforted you. Take a few moments to thank the Lord for His
comfort.
2. Who is someone that you can comfort this week? Ask God for a specific way you can help bring comfort to them.
3. Memorize Isaiah 40:1