God's Tenderness to the Poor and Needy
Homiletic Review
Isaiah 41:17-18
When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue fails for thirst, I the LORD will hear them…


I. GOD HAS LEFT PECULIARLY TENDER AND GRACIOUS PROMISES TO THE POOR AND NEEDY. It is not the healthy and strong,child of the family around whom the father's love is most closely entwined. Like as a father pitieth his children," etc.

II. GOD HAS PLEDGED HIS ALMIGHTY POWER TO WORK MIRACLES, IF NECESSARY, TO SUPPLY THEIR NEED. "I will open rivers in high places," etc. This would be reversing the order of nature. Rivers do not flow in high places; fountains do not spring in the depths of valleys. God simply says that, ere the poor and needy shall lack water, He will reverse the order of nature and turn the world upside down.

III. THE PROMISES ARE MADE ONLY TO THOSE WHO SEEK AND CRY UNTO GOD FOR HIS HELP. God's unchanging tenderness does not make prayer unnecessary. There must be expectation, desire, and confidence.

(Homiletic Review.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: 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.

WEB: The poor and needy seek water, and there is none. Their tongue fails for thirst. I, Yahweh, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.




God's Promise to the Poor and Needy
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