Isaiah 44:1

Isaiah 44:1 says Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:  Even though God had pronounced judgment on the people of Israel, He had not completely turned away from them.  He called on them to yet hear, since He had chosen them as the people He was going to work through to reveal Himself to all the world.  As followers of Jesus Christ, if we have strayed away from God’s law, He still calls on us to hear His word. 

Verse two adds, Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.  God called on the people of Israel to not be afraid because they were under the care of the One Who created them.  As Christians, we have no reason to fear anyone as we follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Now, if we are ignoring God’s guidance, that is a different story.  The people of Israel had already found out what happened when they relied on the powers of the world or even the nation of Israel itself to keep them safe outside of God’s will.  We should never expect God’s protection if we aren’t living by His will, but we should never doubt it if we are.

Verse three continues, For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:  God first said He would pour water on the thirsty, and I believe this refers to the Living Water that Jesus Christ said He would give those who believed in Him.  God also said He would pour out His Spirit on them and on their offspring.  Though Jesus Christ died to redeem all of mankind, for us to have the Holy Spirit poured out on us, we must accept Him as our personal Savior and Lord, but until He returns in victory, the Holy Spirit will always be at work trying to convict people of their sin and need for repentance.  It is our calling too share this good news with the world.

Verse four concludes, And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.  Isaiah said that when God restored the people of Israel after they return to their covenant relationship with Him that they would once more grow in numbers.  As Christians, we should be at work spreading the gospel so that the number of Christians might increase. 

Verse five states, One shall say, I am the Lord's; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel.  The people of Israel who repented and turned to God for strength and guidance once more would identify themselves as belonging to Him.  As followers of Christ, we must do the same thing in the world today, identifying ourselves as His people. 

Verse six adds, Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.  Isaiah said that God once more declared Himself to be the only God there is, and this will never change.  In order for this to be true in our life, we must first accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord.  Then, we should never allow anything to come between God and us. 

Verse seven continues, And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.  God asked who beside Himself could restore the people of Israel, and the answer was no one.  As Gentiles who are followers of Christ this applies to us as well.  There is no one other than Jesus who can restore us to a right relationship with God. 

Verse eight concludes, Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.  God said those who were His people were to put their faith in Him  He asked who was God other than Him.  He also said that they had witnessed His power in the past, so they should be a witness to His power then.  We as Christians have seen the power of God when He redeemed us, and we should never doubt His power to keep us safe spiritually as long as we are obedient to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.