Tomorrow is the start of Lent. For some people that means giving up something. This year, I’m calling you to pick up something: 12 verses. A chapter that has shaped Christianity most profoundly. During Lent many Christians reflect on the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to use this time to present a 3-song series on a passage all about what Jesus did on the cross: Isaiah 53.In this post, I will share:* Today’s song (video);* My reasons against memorizing this chapter now;* My reasons for deciding to press on; * Some sermons I’ve found and listened to on Isaiah 53 which I recommend; and * A quick poll about developing a community here.The First Song: SURELYThe series goes like this:* Verses 1-5 (Tuesday, February 13, 2024) - Today* Verses 6-9 (Tuesday, February 20, 2024) * Verses 10-12 (Tuesday, February 27, 2024)I have named each song, just to aid in meditation as well. While you learn the verses this week, you can think about this word: Surely. Isaiah 53:1-553 Who has believed what he has heard from us?    And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?2 For he grew up before him like a young plant,    and like a root out of dry ground;he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,    and no beauty that we should desire him.3 He was despised and rejected by men,    a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;and as one from whom men hide their faces    he was despised, and we esteemed him not.4 Surely he has borne our griefs    and carried our sorrows;yet we esteemed him stricken,    smitten by God, and afflicted.5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;    he was crushed for our iniquities;upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,    and with his wounds we are healed.Why Isaiah, Why NowI have been struggling with doing Isaiah 53 now. I have always loved this chapter. I may have even memorized it before. I’m almost sure of it. But I didn’t do the work to understand its significance. My love affair with this passage is a perfect demonstration a problem in my faith life the Lord exposed to me in 2023, and which propelled me to restart my memorization journey.Let me show you what I mean. In 2017 I released a song called, What A Story, all about the work of Christ and my opening line was the first verse of Isaiah 53: “Who has believed our report / who accept our chat?”Yet can I explain the chapter to you now? Before setting out to memorize it this time around, did I remember anything besides the first line? I could hear Jesus saying to me as he did to the Sadducees “you do not know the scriptures.”That’s why I set out to learn the chapter as one of the foundational texts I believe I should know as a Christian. Reasons against memorizing Isaiah 53 nowIn making my plan for the year I knew I wanted to do this chapter around Easter.Yet after putting last week’s verse to bed and looking out to this week, I started to have doubts. First, I wonder if going to an Old Testament prophet will break your momentum. I have to remember you and I are different people. I want to encourage, not discourage you. In January I read an article by Andrew M. Davis, How (and How Not) to Memorize Scripture, which warned: “Don’t do prophetic genre (i.e. OT prophetic books) too early in your career.” In my experience, they are the hardest books to memorize since the Spirit leads the prophet in trains of thought that are not always easy to follow. I am well aware that “all Scripture is God-breathed and useful” for our full fruitfulness in Christ. However, I am speaking as one with a lot of experience. The memorization I did in the minor prophets and in Ezekiel was the hardest I ever did. Work on a New Testament epistle first, or a portion of a Gospel. It will feed you and encourage you immediately, and your confidence will grow. Tackle the visionary prophets later.Second, I’ve googled the most popular verses and they are verses I would also love to memorize - so why not do one of those? Check out this list, The Top 100 Most Read Bible Verses, published by BibleGateway.com.Here are the top 5: * John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.* Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.* Rom 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.* Ps 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.* Ps 23:6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.Like everyone else, I want to be encouraged by rich promises of God’s love and care for me. These verses talk about that love so clearly and directly. Third, not a single verse from Isaiah 53 made that list of popular verses.Even if I am going to go to Isaiah, why not go to Isaiah 54:17, “no weapon forged against you will prevail…” (NIV), which made the list at number 94? It may be Lent, but the things that cause us distress are still going on. So why take this detour to look at what may seem like something for academics? Reasons for memorizing Isaiah 53 nowI have four reasons why I think we should press ahead with this. First, it’s just one chapter. I do take that point from Andrew Davis, and so I wouldn’t start at Isaiah 1. Even if these are your least favourite verses this year, it will just be 3 weeks over which you’ll be asked to consider a few verses of a single chapter. Second, this is an exceptional chapter. Listen to what pastor John Piper says in the introduction to a sermon on Isaiah 53:“Nowhere in all the Old Testament does the gospel of Jesus Christ shine more clearly than in Isaiah 53. Seven hundred years before Jesus came into the world, God opened the eyes of his prophet to see into the very heart of Christ's saving work.”700 Years. That’s nothing to scoff at. Third, we should question why a passage like this isn’t among even the top 100 verses people read online.This is a post by itself - what we want, versus what we need from our bible verses. We need the promises of scripture every second, minute and hour of the day. I don’t want to diminish that in any way shape or form. Still, how can I ever be comfortable to call myself a Christian, if I don’t understand what Christ did, and treasure it, and if I’m not able to share it meaningfully? More important, Isaiah 53 is the foundation of all the promises. Meaning, if Christ’s work for me isn’t sufficient, all those promises of love and support mean nothing for me. When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I should fear EVERY evil if Christ hasn’t been a mediator between me and God. Fourth, I can only be guided at this point by what I want to understand. I have sang these 3 songs over and over with much feeling at home, to the point where my four-year-old back-up singer Madison can start the third song without me saying a word.But still, the feeling is hollow! It is hollow because my head is empty! I want that feeling to be full. Now you may say, how is this an argument for memorization if after having memorized it you still don’t get it? We don’t memorize only what we understand and love but what we want to understand. Memorization fuels meditation. Further, because I know the passage, as I’m diving into it i find that though it’s foreign it’s familiar. While it’s still not simple, it’s a lot less strange. Digging Deeper I have gathered a list of resources to get you started.I’ve listened to the sermons I list below. I am going to try to read even one of the sermons in the book I recommend. It would be great if we could do it together! Sermons by John PiperWhile tossing the idea around in my mind of whether to stick with my plan, I decided to search out resources. I was greatly encouraged to find a sermon series by pastor John Piper at desiringGod.org which tackles the chapter in almost the same way I’ve divided the verses in these songs. Piper preached the following sermons over three weeks from the 14th of March to the 4th of April, 1993: * Surely He Has Borne Our Griefs | Scripture: Isaiah 52:13–53:6    * Like a Lamb That Is Led to Slaughter | Scripture: Isaiah 53:7–9   * He Shall Be Satisfied with the Fruit of His Travail | Scripture: Isaiah 53:10–12    I’ve listened to all three and can say they are a great aid to get us started. I suggest you listen to them to get a grasp of what the chapter is all about. It will make memorizing it more meaningful. Sermons by Martyn Lloyd-JonesI would also recommend these two sermons by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones (MLJ). * A Man of Sorrows | A Sermon on Acts 8:28-36* Hearing of Faith | A Sermon on Romans 10:16-17I will listen to anything from MLJ, but what makes these sermons helpful is that they grapple with questions in Isaiah 53 which we may have when we look at it. The sermon on Acts 8:28-36 is about Philip in the New Testament explaining the passage to the Ethiopian eunuch. It gives me 3 more incentives to memorize: * How amazing that Isaiah 53 was the passage God used to convert the first African to Christianity! * The bible says he went away with rejoicing. What was it that made this high-ranking official so happy? * Philip explained to the eunuch that the prophesy though 700 years old at that time, was as contemporary as ever and held out a promise for him. We are in the same position as the eunuch. The prophesy though now almost 3000 years old is still as relevant to the world as ever. Sermons By Thomas MantonIf you’ve read my article 119 notable things about Psalm 119 you’d have come across the name Thomas Manton who I mentioned because of how his work on Psalm 119 impacted one of the most famous American theologians in history. Manton published an extensive, verse by verse, exposition of the Psalm. Jonathon Edwards, the American theologian and pastor cited one of the sermons as the basis of one of the great resolutions he made early in his life. I didn’t link to his book of sermons on Psalm 119 because I don’t like the idea of recommending something I hadn’t read and that book is well over a thousand pages. Since then I have dipped into Manton’s sermons and man, I come away kicking myself over and over for not devoting da ys and nights to reading them. Manton has done the same kind of work on Isaiah 53, and despite having not read it, I am going to link to it. The book, Isaiah 53: A Practical Exposition (eBook) can be downloaded for free at Monergism.com in EPUB, .MOBI & PDF FORMATS.Poll - Sway&Say CommunityI hope the songs, podcasts and articles help you to make real progress in learning scripture. If you think you could benefit from (or would simply enjoy!) regular discussion with me and other like-minded believers about the passages and the memorization work, then let me know below! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gracenotmagic.substack.com

About this week’s songThis is a long one! 10 verses. But TRUST! God is faithful and the music sweettttt! * AIM LOW. If you catch ONE deh-geh deh-geh line (a single line, for my non-patois speakers) it’s more likely than not that you would have memorized a VERSE!* LET IT PLAY. As you listen, you will catch it. * PUT IT ON REPEAT. Not just for my stats, but again, as it plays, you will catch a bit of it. * HUM, then SING ALONG. * TRY A FEW LINES…without the music. * REMEMBER: this passage is GOLDEN! It is worth the effort! Ephesians 6: 10 – 2010 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.Avoiding spiritual warfareThere are some areas of Christianity where I have always felt like a bit of an outsider. Spiritual warfare is one.It just sounded very complex.Something by and for especially energetic spiritual people. People who are extremely confident about their ability to beat the devil.Christians with spiritual weapons, who say it’s just too easy for them to confront the devil and fire on him with the “B-66” until he crawls away begging for mercy. The problem is that avoiding the topic of spiritual warfare didn’t exempt me from attacks by the devil on my mind and spirit. Paul says in Ephesians 6:12: 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.That passage relates to everyone, including you and I.In 2018, something changed for me. I was listening to a sermon series by Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones on the entire book of Ephesians. That series was a turning point in my thinking in many ways. His sermons on Ephesians 6:10-20, dealing with the whole armour of God, provided a clear biblical foundation for me on the topic of spiritual warfare. It showed not just that it was inescapable, but what it means to put the whole armour of God. What it means to stand. The whole armour consists of: * the belt of truth, * breastplate of righteousness, * shoes for your feet…the readiness given by the gospel of peace. * the shield of faith, * the helmet of salvation, * and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.I came to see that: * Each item matters,* The whole matters,* The order they are put on matters, and* Knowing how you put on the armour matters.I am embarrassed to say what I am about to say, but I will say it because I know there are perhaps people right now who are doing exactly this. I used to pray as I was heading out somewhere, ‘Lord, I just put on your whole armour now,’ or something like that. I would go on, ‘I put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness…” and so on, listing all the parts. I would then go out thinking I am ready to engage the devil because, well, I’ve put on the armour. This sermon series helped to rid me of that idea, to show me that while we do put on the armour with prayer, you can’t simply pray and put it on. There is a belt of truth, for example, that you must put on. You can’t simply pray and know the truth, you must learn it and that truth, seasoned with prayer is the first thing to put on. FightAnyway, after that I was so enthused and wanted to remember the parts so I wrote this song, called Fight. Verse 1 Temptation every side / mi haffi gwan like me nuh see. Somebody fulla purpose devil don't wah me fi be. Wah me waste my life / tun it in a tradgey, Wah mi stop serve Christ cause a di bad economy Mi haffi go inna di scripture / every word a prophesy Haffi preach to miself / Bible cannot help me pon mi shelf Haffi read / study / meditate / get-it inna mi heart Before day light, mi haffi start ‘ Chorus From di moment mi rise, Both eyes to di skies A fight man a fight, man a fight di prize Annuh rollover thing both eyes to di King Every youth like you haffi learn dat rope-a-dope swing A yuh breastplate, Yuh helmet Yuh sandals Yuh Shield and Yuh Scripture, Ahh! Take & give lick sah! Disicpline a summin gonna hurt / but heaven dat a summin full a worthThe song really seemed to resonate with my friends and other Christians. This is a group of Christian young people who sang the song as their camp song. “Nuh just a tough chat”In that song, I wanted to share my understanding that putting on the whole armour of God wasn’t simply about talking - “real work, to the scriptures, nuh just a tough chat.”I feel like even singing about the importance of fighting can take the place of the actual thing. I am consistently stumped by how much easier it is to talk about fighting than it is to do it! It’s easier because fighting tends to be…dum dum dummmm: boring. Things like memorizing Ephesians 6:10-20, so we have a grasp of what it takes to stand. Meditating on it, praying to God for insight and for help. Thats in the work of putting on the armour. It is easier to go to church and sing for 30 mins, “this is how I fight my battles” than to ensure we have on truth like a belt. You and I have to learn how to stand. My prayer is that this song, this week will help you in your quest. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gracenotmagic.substack.com

A quick note about today’s post. I’m considering recording the article I do for each song as a podcast. This week’s post is an experiment. Please listen to the podcast and let me know what you think. The song is available for download on Soundcloud. How many influencers do you think there are in the world today? I thought a couple million, perhaps. According to this article by Forbes, it’s now well over 50 million!And that number is increasing daily. People, me included, who are trying to get you to think about something. To influence you in some way; good, bad or indifferent. Add to that number the myriad of other things in the world that influence our emotions and our minds daily as soon as we open our eyes: wars in Europe and the Middle East, the economy, bills, crime and violence, our families, sickness, work, our relationships —. The list goes on. With that in mind, you will appreciate the immeasurable benefit of today’s scripture and song. Philippians 4:8-9Here are the verses: 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.Here’s this week’s song: A call to discipline in the mindAren’t you amazed at how many times the New Testament directs us to think one way and not another?Remember our verse last week?Philippians 4:4–74 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything…It’s great that the bible doesn’t only say how not to think - do not be anxious - but it also goes on to tell us exactly how to occupy our minds. These verses challenge us to:* Pay attention to what we think, and* Not fall into the trap of being victims help captive by our thoughts. 5 ways to apply this week’s verse* There are 8 categories of things to think about. How about focusing on one item one day of the week, this week and one next week?* Start today. Right away. For the rest of the day, commit to thinking about something TRUE. * One thing you could do each day you think about one of these things is figure out what it covers. Let me give you some examples of things that are true.* The first truth - one we definitely need to to think about in this time - is that THERE ARE things that are true. * Another key truth is that we CAN KNOW what is true. When Pilate asked Jesus, ‘What is truth,’ he wasn’t being wise and discriminating. He was a cynic. Many in our culture today say, that even if there is anything true, we can’t be sure what it is, but that runs counter to this command to think about what is true. * There are things which the bible says are true. * The rules of the Lord are true. (Psalm 19:9)* Jesus Christ is truth. John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” ()John 1:14And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.John 1:17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.* God’s word is true. John 17:17“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” Revelation 21:5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”Psalm 119:160The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.* Use these things you’re thinking about from Philippians 4:8-9 to fuel your other disciplines, like prayer. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 we are commanded to: 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.One way to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances, is to think about things that are true no matter how we may feel, or what we’re facing, or the time of day - or whatever. I can always rejoice because if I remember that no matter what I am going through, if I cast my burden on the Lord he will sustain me (Psalm 55:22). * Build up your knowledge and appreciation of the truth that God’s word is true by listening to a rich sermon on the subject. I would recommend John Piper’s sermon, The Sum of Your Word Is Truth. * A Bonus: Think about what the verse doesn’t say. For example, it doesn’t say “think positive.” For some people positive thinking means never thinking about death. Yet Moses prayed in Psalm 90:12: “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” They resent a preacher who tells them that this life is temporary and unpredictable…but that message is true. See what I mean? Update on this year’s plan I have my plan for the year! (Check it out) Next week, God’s willing, we will go on to that great passage at the end of the book of Ephesians, central to spiritual warfare. Please share these songs with whoever you think may benefit and pray for me. ALSO please let me hear from you. What do you think about the plan? Have you managed to learn any verses from last week or the Psalm 119 project? Let me know! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gracenotmagic.substack.com