How inexhaustible is God’s Holy Word, a never ending source of instruction and comfort. Isaiah 55:1 holds out an offer of the free grace of God: “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Then in Isaiah 41:17-18, He gives the only requirement, “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. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.” No language describes better the people of God’s choice as that of Isaiah 41:17. The Psalms of David harmonize with it perfectly: “For He shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy” (Psalm 72:12-13). This is a prediction of Christ, not on the cross, but upon the throne. It speaks of His manhood as well as His Godhead, exalted and extolled very high. He is the King and the King’s son, with absolute sway, stretching His scepter from sea to sea and “from the river even unto the ends of the earth.” “Bow down your ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy” (Psalm 86:1). Religious thought in modern times is “God helps those who help themselves.” Oh no, He helps the “poor and needy, and him who has no helper.” His attention will be drawn to His care for the lowly, His personal sympathy with the poor, and the benefits they are to enjoy from His kingdom. When Christ is the highest and we are the lowest, and the two meet, there is “glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.” Do you wonder if this Psalm is more a tribute of homage to the Messiah or a treasury of comfort for His poor subjects? “Mended by my sickness, enriched by my poverty, and strengthened by my weakness”; this is the language of the “poor in spirit” which are assured by our Lord that they shall inherit the Kingdom. A lack of this language among the religious is a sure evidence of deception and an unregenerate heart. Let us return to the text (Isaiah 41:17-18), you will find that the warrant for believing is the promise, “I the Lord will hear them”…”I, the God if Israel will not forsake them.” “I will open rivers…and fountains.” “I will make the wilderness a pool of water.” Blessed be the “I wills” of Jehovah which alone are the hope and help for the “poor and needy.” ‘If the Son sets you free you will be free indeed.” (John 3:36)
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