Isaiah:41

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* Verse 1-9 - Can any heathen god raise up one in righteousness , make what use of him he pleases , and make him victorious over the nations ? The Lord did so with Abraham , or rather , he would do so with Cyrus . Sinners encourage one another in the ways of sin ; shall not the servants of the living God stir up one another in his service ? God 's people are the seed of Abraham his friend . This is certainly the highest title ever given to a mortal . It means that Abraham , by Divine grace , was made like to God , and that he was admitted to communion with Him . Happy are the servants of the Lord , whom he has called to be his friends , and to walk with him in faith and holy obedience . Let not such as have thus been favoured yield to fear ; for the contest may be sharp , but the victory shall be sure . * Verse 10-20 - God speaks with tenderness ; Fear thou not , for I am with thee : not only within call , but present with thee . Art thou weak ? I will strengthen thee . Art thou in want of friends ? I will help thee in the time of need . Art thou ready to fall ? I will uphold thee with that right hand which is full of righteousness , dealing forth rewards and punishments . There are those that strive with God 's people , that seek their ruin . Let not God 's people render evil for evil , but wait God 's time . It is the worm Jacob ; so little , so weak , so despised and trampled on by every body . God 's people are as worms , in humble thoughts of themselves , and in their enemies ' haughty thoughts of them ; worms , but not vipers , not of the serpent 's seed . Every part of God 's word is calculated to humble man 's pride , and to make him appear little in his own eyes . The Lord will help them , for he is their Redeemer . The Lord will make Jacob to become a threshing instrument . God will make him fit for use , new , and having sharp spikes . This has fulfilment in the triumphs of the gospel of Christ , and of all faithful followers of Christ , over the power of darkness . God has provided comforts to supply all their wants , and to answer all their prayers . Our way to heaven lies through the wilderness of this world . The soul of man is in want , and seeks for satisfaction ; but becomes weary of seeking that in the world , which is not to be had in it . Yet they shall have a constant supply , where one would least expect it . I will open rivers of grace , rivers of living water , which Christ spake of the Spirit , John strkjv @7:38 ,39 . When God sets up his church in the Gentile wilderness , there shall be a great change , as if thorns and briers were turned into cedars , and fir-trees , and myrtles . These blessings are kept for the poor in spirit , who long for Divine enlightening , pardon , and holiness . And God will render their barren souls fruitful in the grace of his Spirit , that all who behold may consider it . * Verse 21-29 - There needs no more to show the folly of sin , than to bring to notice the reasons given in defence of it . There is nothing in idols worthy of regard . They are less than nothing , and worse than nothing . Let the advocates of other doctrines than that of salvation through Christ , bring their arguments . Can they tell of a cure for human depravity ? Jehovah has power which cannot be withstood ; this he will make appear . But the certain knowledge of the future must be only with Jehovah , who fulfils his own plans . All prophecies , except those of the Bible , have been uncertain . In the work of redemption the Lord showed himself much more than in the release of the Jews from Babylon . The good tidings the Lord will send in the gospel , is a mystery hid from ages and generations . A Deliverer is raised up for us , of nobler name and greater power than the deliverer of the captive Jews . May we be numbered among his obedient servants and faithful friends . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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