I often read Scripture and sit back while letting the word bounce off the walls of my head. When the echo has died, I read it again, this time emphasizing different words; then in my own paraphrase. I do whatever is useful to see God's word from a different perspective. Such technique has served me well as the Holy Spirit faithfully fills me with God's word. Often I will write a brief poem about what God is teaching me and found it to also be a good way to meditate.

I still remember the moment of my inspiration. I was reading this verse in Isaiah and the echo got stuck in my heart and my spirit soared. My words began to flow on paper as if inspired by God and taking dictation from the Holy Spirit. After a couple of lines, I sat back and evaluated my inspiration. Wait a minute; something's not right. I've heard this before.

I showed it to my wife and she with laughingly incredulous tone asked, "You mean you don't know where you've heard it?" She went right to a hymnal and found the page number of the hymn and gave it to me to read.

John Rippin in 1787 took Isaiah's words almost in direct quote and put them to melody in verse two: "Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid; I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand." (1)

Man, I thought I had the "big" one! It's not fair you know, that someone else has all the fun. You know, I think I'll do this morning what I failed to do several years ago. It's not right that such truth and beauty be surrendered to one or two voices.

Saint, don't you let fear in, for I stand 'tween it and you;
Don't worry or pace, be tearful or sad for I am Your God.
It's my power you have and by my strength you stand;
I'll not leave or forsake, but help and brace - together as one
With power from above that comes through the Son.

JG - A paraphrase of Isa 41:10

1) How Firm a Foundation; Words by John Rippon - 1787; Music by Joseph Funk - 1832.
2 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Is. 39:1-41:16 Ep. 1:1-23 Ps. 66:1-20 Pr. 23:26-28 )
3. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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