- 76. Hear and Not Forsake
Isaiah 41:17 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
God promises water for the poor and needy and thirsty. He will hear them and not leave them alone. He is attentive to their thirst and need. He pays attention to all people and knows the needs of every person. Jesus manifests the attention of the Lord to all kinds of people in need: poor, hungry, thirsty, oppressed, humble, meek, mourning, prostitutes, tax collectors and sinners, sick, blind, deaf, lame, and even the dead.
Be assured: God hears you and will not leave you alone. The Lord uses a physical metaphor to explain the spiritual truth for us: thirst and water. The thirst is an absence of God and eternal life in our soul; the water is God Himself and the eternal life of God. The Scriptures are full of the mention of water in regard to salvation, the Holy Spirit, life, refreshment for the soul, cleansing from sin, and all the blessings God graciously gives us who believe the Gospel.
Most people have experienced the refreshment of a cold drink on a hot and thirsty day. Most people enjoy a warm bath or shower after a long day. This is the same kind of experience spiritually for the refreshment of the soul when we repent and believe the Gospel, remember our Baptism, partake of the Lord’s Supper, receive the forgiveness of sins, or simply hear and read the Scriptures. The love of God and the life of God wash over the soul and it feels like liquid love. Then we leave the place of contact with the Gospel cleansed, refreshed, filled with new life, and we are ready for the new week or the new day. This is what happens according to God’s promise. When we think about it we realize what is really happening.
So be thirsty; realize what sin has done to you. Drink deeply of the Spirit; realize what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for you. Believe the promise: the Lord will hear.