Marinate: Soaking Up the Spices of God’s
Word
By Nancy Kelley Alvarez April 2021
Fear is all around us. Fear of disease. Fear of change. Fear
of the future. Fear of an economic crash. You name it. Which fear is haunting
you these days? Ready to grip you in its claws?
A week or so after I learned I might have cancer I found myself
stressed. In my mind, I knew I’d be alright. I’m utterly convinced that God is not
only with me, but he would get me through whatever may come. But somehow my
body didn’t receive the memo. I’d wake at night going over the possible
scenarios, none of them pleasant.
Isaiah 41:10 came alive in a new way. I started marinating
in each phrase and soaking up all the meanings hidden within them. “Do not fear
for I am with you. Be not anxious for I am your God. I will strengthen you.
Surely I will help you. Surely I will hold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
Meat tastes better if it is marinated and soaked in various
sauces and spices. God’s Word is the same way! Let’s try it out.
“Do not fear”—what is the opposite of fear? I’d say it’s
peace, relaxation, calm and confident trust. What would it look like not to be
fearful in whatever current situation you face? While it doesn’t mean you’re
skipping about with joyful abandon, it might include a peacefulness that shows,
ability to handle daily activities, and enjoying the good in life that surrounds
you.
“I am with you”—this is the reason why we don’t need to fear. What does that look like? He knows, he understands, he cares, he aches for us, he is by our side coaching, protecting, and guiding.
“Be not anxious” – that is my choice. Another verse says,
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart.” (Colossians 3:15). Think about
what it looks like to not be anxious.
“I am your God” – if God weren’t powerful that phrase would
hold little meaning for us. Or if he wasn’t loving or merciful. Or if he wasn’t
in control. Imagine God without one of his eternal attributes and your hope
would disappear like bubbles sucked down a drain. Thank Him for all that He is.
Now you try it. What does it look like when you marinate in
the remaining phrases?
“I will strengthen you” --
“Surely, I will help you” --
“I will hold you” --
“With my righteous right hand” --
Offer up to God a fear that grips you. Think about how God
is going to give you glorious victory and make you more like Him through the
circumstance. Marinate in this verse and soak all the juice up. Believe me,
it’s delicious! Share with someone else what blessed you most in this exercise.
