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Overview

Isaiah 41 reveals God’s faithfulness to Judah and Israel. YHWH describes Himself multiple times as the Helper. He helps His people in times of despair. He helps them when all hope seems gone. No one can help us like God can. This chapter reminds us of this fact. 

Isaiah 41:8-10

But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Here in verse 8, God describes Abraham as “my friend”. What a crazy thought! A human, a nation, can be a friend or friends of God. Only a personal being could be this. Could do this. Furthermore, God truly cares for the plight of His people. 

Isaiah 41:17-18

When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

Once again, only YHWH can do these things. Only God can truly satisfy. And yet so many times—we try to find our way without Him. We drink out of the pool of our occupation or the pool of leisure or of money or of pleasure. Is there a brief quenching of thirst? Of course—but it is momentary. It will not satisfy our souls. Simply put, it is the Creator who fill our souls. Saint Augustine said it well, "Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee". 

Isaiah 41:28-29

But when I look, there is no one; among these there is no counselor who, when I ask, gives an answer. Behold, they are all a delusion; their works are nothing; their metal images are empty wind.

The futility of man. No counselors. No one (without the mind of Christ) can actually give the right answer. Mankind is deluded and in their foolishness they chase after idols—metal, wood, stone. Mankind, since they are immate beings created to worship, they will mold anything into an idol to worship. Calvin was right—”the human heart is a perpetual idol factory”. 

In one sense, there is no fountain of youth. There are no magical fountains that grant wishes. But there is a fountain that satisfies. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light (Psalm 36:9). Search for that fountain—and then drink. Drink deeply of the well of Christ. He is the living water.