“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about–but not before God! For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” – Romans 4:2-3
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.”
– Isaiah 41:17-18
Main Thought: Here in these verses of Isaiah 41, we find pictured a people who are in need of water in a wilderness, and there is none, and they are parched and perhaps about to die of thirst. I am reminded of after the delivery of Israel from Egypt, the people of God were wandering and soon became thirsty in the wilderness and complained against Moses, and God provided them water out of a rock (Ex. 17:1-7). However, I believe here in Isaiah’s passage that the application is more for those who are thirsty for God and thirsty in a spiritual sense. Some thirsty souls are those who have known His presence but are now thirsting to know the presence and the power of God again, and they are crying out to Him as David did in Psalm 42:2 when he says “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God,” for a fresh outpouring of God upon their souls. Perhaps this is a lost soul who cries out to God for the “spiritual water” of the Spirit of God which brings life and refreshment that they have never known, much like the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well in Samaria. Jesus told her at the well that “everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again” (John 4:13-14). Later on in that passage, we are told she left her water jar and went and told others about this One that she had met (John 4:28-30). What happened to her that made her leave the jar behind? The great need, the great thirsting of her soul, was now satisfied because the water of eternal life had been poured upon her dry and dead soul; the Spirit of God was poured out upon her (Isa. 44:3). The idea conveyed here is not only will our God hear our cry initially but He will continually supply our need and provide us rest and refreshment in the midst of a spiritual wilderness and wasteland. Notice here the “I wills” of God; it is a promise of God that those who call upon Him for this water are heard and He will give them this life, this eternal spring of life that will always satisfy. In John 6:35, our Lord promises that “whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” We may have times when we are isolated in the barrenness of this world, but the God who hears our cries will continue to refresh us through the spiritual water of His Spirit and the Word of God. In Psalm 23, David reminds us that our God, even through the most difficult of times will continue to lead us “beside still waters” and give us a cup that “overflows” with refreshment from God. Are you parched and thirsty in your soul? Do you desire, as the Samaritan woman, the water of life that can only come from our Lord? Then call upon Him, and certainly He will open rivers and fountains and springs, and pour upon you the water of eternal life and eternal satisfaction.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
Romans 4:2-3
Psalm 92:8
“But You are on high forever, O Yahweh.” – Psalm 92:8
John 11:25-27
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die–ever. Do you believe this?’ She (Martha) said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.” – John 11:25-27
John 8:23-24
“And He was saying to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am His, you will die in your sins.” – John 8:23-24
John 6:39-40
“Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” – John 6:39-40
John 2:18-21
“The Jews then said to Him, ‘What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.” – John 2:18-21
John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
Psalm 85:6
“Will You not Yourself return to revive us, that your people may be glad in You?” – Psalm 85:6
Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
“Incline your ear, O Yahweh, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy…For You, Lord, are good, and by nature forgiving, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” – Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
John 14:19
“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me, because I live, you will live also.” – John 14:19