"For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall."
Isaiah 25:4)
Part 1
Isaiah in his prophecy speaks of the judgment of God that will come on the whole earth (Isaiah 24). There will come a time of Great Tribulation. In the first 12 verses of chapter 25, Isaiah shows us that those who come to know the LORD in this time will have joy in their LORD, and His provision for them. They will praise Him. Our verse for today describes God’s protection for His children in that time.
“For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress,”
God loves to give strength to the poor and needy. Surely, He is worthy of praise! In Isaiah’s time God saw His people who were heading into exile as “poor and needy.”
“The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy,” (Isaiah 26:6).
“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,” (Isaiah 41:17).
You can imagine the people of Israel who saw the invasion of godless armies, who stole away everything they owned and carted them away as captives. Even the once wealthy Israelites were now paupers. The nation had become a people that were “poor and needy,” physically. But this was just a symptom of their greater spiritual need. These are the kinds of people that Jehovah loves to help in their weakness and distress!
The “poor and needy” need help. Here are a few ways He helps.
“Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength,” (Isaiah 26:4).
“…The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:2).
“The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed,” (Psalm 28:8).
“…God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” (Psalm 46:1).
How God provides strength, is a great topic for your personal study through the Word.
Come back tomorrow and see how God protects us.