Isa 43

Devotion 1 of 1: Isa 43

V.4a is wonderfully translated in the Japanese Bible, but in the English NKJV, it is not such a moving translation: “Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you.” Therefore, I would like to propose my own personal translation, based on the Japanese Bible: “You are precious and valuable in My sight, and I love you.”
One sister who had had a very difficult background and who struggled all her life with many mental pressures, introduced this verse to me as her favorite Scripture! It was the first time I understood the impact this verse could have on Christians. I have loved it ever since!

GAL 6: Free sharing!
According to 2 Cor 12:7-9, Paul had a thorn in the flesh, which he asked God 3 times to remove, but was denied. Rather, God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Many Bible scholars have debated over what that thorn was, but no unanimous conclusion has been made.
One suggestion for Paul’s thorn has been an illness to his eyes because in Gal 4:13-15, Paul writes that he preached to the Galatians under physical infirmity and that the Galatians would have plucked out their eyes and given them to him because they esteemed him highly!
Finally, in 6:11, Paul writes that he was writing to the Galatian Church with large letters, and that’s why some scholars speculate that Paul had an eye ailment that forced him to write in big letters, and that’s why the Galatians wanted to pluck out their eyes and give them to him, if they could!
Do we have trials that are like thorns in our flesh? Through prayer, we might overcome them, but even if not, let’s remember that God’s grace is sufficient for us because his strength is made perfect through our weakness!