Isaiah 41. I Am the LORD.

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 41.

“Who controls human events? I do. I am the LORD.” (v4).

This is the first of nine “I am” proclamations in this chapter. Think back to the burning bush in Exodus 3 where God first identified Himself as “I Am that I Am.” Now, go forward to the gospel of John where Jesus proclaims eight times that “I am.”

Here in Isaiah 41:

• • I am the LORD (v4).
  • I am with you (v10).
  • I am your God (v10).
  • I am the LORD your God (v13).
  • I am holding your hand so you don’t have to be afraid (v13).
  • I am here to help you (v13).
  • I am the holy God of Israel (v14).
  • I am he who saves and protects you (v14).
  • I am the LORD, the King of Israel (v21).

Can we be thankful that the great “I Am that I Am” loves you and me deeply and fills us with strength and joy and hope and peace and grace? Even today!

I also love the heart behind this verse: “When the poor and needy are dying of thirst and cannot find water, I, the LORD God of Israel, will come to their rescue. I won’t forget them.” (v17, CEV).

Do you know people in third world countries? Children in Kenya or India? Medical professionals staffing a clinic in Malawi? Caregivers supporting an orphanage in Central America? Missionaries in Asia? God says, “I won’t forget them.”

How about our neighbors who may suffer from spiritual thirstiness?  Or those we know who are poor in spirit, or poor in hope, or poor in confidence,  or poor in  ____(fill in the blank)____. The great I Am comes to their rescue, comes to our rescue.

He won’t forget them. God is God. He won’t forget us.

This chapter is also filled with “I will” promises. God says:

• • I will be there (v4).
  • I will make you strong (v10).
  • I will come to their rescue (v17).
  • I will make rivers flow (v18).
  • I will send streams to fill the valleys (v18).
  • I will fill the desert with all kinds of trees (v19).

God keeps His promises. And nothing compares with Him. Isaiah concludes by noting that especially not even deities made by the hands of man can match God’s greatness. “None of these idols are able to give advice or answer questions. They are nothing, and they can do nothing…” (v28-29, CEV).

Today, let us put our trust and our hope in the great promise keeper, I Am that I Am.

If you’re new to this journey through Isaiah, you can start here.