More than words – Sign up to memorize Isaiah 12:1-6

Register-now-Isaiah-12

It’s time!

If you want to memorize 6 verses in 6 weeks from Isaiah 12, register now at Do Not Depart.

You’ll receive an email with answers to frequently asked questions as well as the 6-week schedule. Next week you’ll receive a list of printable resources, then the following week, September 14, we’ll start memorizing.

But as with any passage of the Bible, it’s not the words on the page that matter the most. It’s the truth underneath the words.

And that truth is The Word is Love and became flesh for our good and God’s glory.

In reading Isaiah 12, we’re reminded that the Lord is worthy of our thanks because of who he is and what he does. He deserves our songs, our shouts, and yes, our words, too.

Our words do matter. We’re to use them often.

But the message underneath our words matters more. Language is a tool to communicate what is deeper inside us.

What is deeper inside us?

God.

God is the deepest thing inside us. He has become our salvation (Isaiah 12:2) and makes his home in us (1 Corinthians 6:19, John 14:23). Can it get any better than that?

How can we adequately express that in mere words?

* * *

If you’d like to memorize the words of Isaiah 12 for a deeper awareness of God in you, too, see 4 things to do this week for Isaiah 12.

What aspect of God leaves you most speechless? Please share in the comments.

20 thoughts on “More than words – Sign up to memorize Isaiah 12:1-6

  1. Mary Dolan Flaherty

    Lisa, I’ve been in Isaiah 30, and everywhere I go today, there are either parallels to what I’m studying, or further Isaiah stuff. So, I guess I’m on the “right” path with God. He’s showing me some not so pretty stuff from Woe-saiah, as I like to call him (since he says woe so much). I did not sign up to memorize Isaiah 12, simply because (if you’ll excuse the irony) I don’t want to depart from what he’s teaching me in Isaiah 30. But I do think you’ve got a great thing there. Prayers to you.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      “Woe-saiah” – great name, Mary. Made me chuckle. It’s appropriate. Ha. Thankfully Isaiah 12 is an exception though. 🙂 Good for you to stay in your lane though. When God has us somewhere for a reason, we’d do best to stick with him and not run off chasing other things, even if they’re good too. I appreciate your diligence to stay in Isaiah 30. Thanks for your prayers!

  2. Linda Stoll

    This grabbed hold of me just now, Lisa –> ‘ it’s not the words on the page that matter the most. It’s the truth underneath the words.’

    I will carry this with me through the today’s tasks. His truth abides forever.

    Thanks for drawing me closer to Him … always.

    Hugs for you, dear!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      It’s so easy to get caught up in the words, but yes, his message goes so much deeper than our words can convey. I know your heart’s intent is to deeply build up the body of Christ and I appreciate you, Linda.

  3. Ceil

    Hi Lisa! I am always amazed at how God can make a positive out of my negative. My word for this year is ‘joy’ and seeing that He can make a disaster become a learning experience, or bring peace in chaos…that makes me speechless.

    I know you really enjoy memorizing Scripture. I love Isaiah, as I think I’ve mentioned to you. Maybe it’s time I started doing it too.
    Thanks for the good thoughts,
    Ceil

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I admit I had to pause and think when I saw this: “I know you really enjoy memorizing Scripture.” 🙂 I’m not sure I enjoy the actual memorizing part but I definitely do appreciate the benefits! So I’ll take the statement to be true. Thanks, Ceil. Great outlook about God bringing peace out of chaos and that leaving us speechless. Agreed!

  4. Beth

    I used to memorize Scripture faithfully years ago, Lisa, and though I’ve still got some of those verses “hidden in my heart” to this day, I’ve been lazy here. In fact, God has been convicting me about this area of my spiritual life a lot lately–including this morning in my own quiet time! So your post is very timely and is reminding me to get on out of that “Lazy Butt Ranch”–for which I tend to linger in more ways than one! Thanks for your encouragement, my friend! Always a treat to come visit your place. 🙂

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thank God for those verses we learned earlier though, right? Sometimes those stick with me more than the ones I learn nowadays. ha. But all are worth it. Glad we were able to encourage each other today. I appreciate your wisdom, Beth.

  5. Sharon

    We must be so careful with our words – for the tongue is a mighty, untamable thing! We can speak words of blessing, and we can speak words of damage. We must be mindful to give this area over to the Holy Spirit. For only HE can discern when to speak, what to say, and when to keep our words to ourselves!!

    And, to answer your question, the thing that leaves me speechless about God is the fact that He is my Friend. I can thrill to His majesty as the Almighty, I can glory in His work as the Creator, I am grateful for His place as my Savior and Lord. But the quiet intimacy of friendship, and all that that entails, just stops me in my tracks. To think of Him sitting next to me as my best friend, well, it brings tears to my eyes…

    GOD BLESS!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I agree. That tongue is definitely a mighty and untamable thing. Seems too small to do much damage–or much good–but we’ve all been the recipients and givers on both ends, I’m sure. The truth that God is our friend definitely leaves me speechless too, Sharon! Great pick.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I hope you were able to read Isaiah 12, Jennifer. I think it’s the shortest chapter in the book of Isaiah. 🙂 I’m looking forward to seeing what the Lord wants to reveal of himself through it.

  6. Jen Ferguson

    I used to think I couldn’t memorize scripture, but once I started, I realized that if I ask Him, He will be so faithful to help me. We were preparing for our interview today at Family Life and I found myself saying, “Lord, where did you say _____” and He helped me find it! It is incrediby worth it to memorize it and hide it in our heart. So glad you do this!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      That’s awesome, Jen. I love how the Lord brings things to remembrance for us. And I’m so excited about your interview. I keep watching my podcast list to see if you’re on there yet. 🙂 But if you’re preparing for it, that means you haven’t done it yet and I need to be a bit more patient.

  7. Constance Ann Morrison

    Hi, Lisa! I’m your neighbor at #TellHisStory. Oh, my, this is a tender spot. I know I need to memorize Scripture, but it’s like exercise (I hear you, Beth)–many days I just don’t feel like it. I’ve signed up for the Isaiah 12 experience and am praying I have the discipline to exercise the body, mind, and soul.
    I’ll be thinking about this sentence “God is the deepest thing inside us” this week. Thanks for your inspiring words.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I’m happy you decided to join in, Constance! I’ll be praying that this isn’t difficult for you but is rather a joy that you can look forward to. Our pace is slow enough that we can hang in there, but steady enough that we’re always moving. So glad you were my neighbor. 🙂

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