CHEERING WORDS FOR THE AFFLICTED Isaiah 43:1. _But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, &c._ These cheering words were addressed by God to His peculiar people the Jews; but He has a peculiar people now, and all who partake of their faith and love may consider this Scripture as written for the... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD’S APPRAISEMENT OF HIS PEOPLE Isaiah 43:4. _Since thou wast precious, &c._ We learn here— 1. That nations and armies are in the hand of God and at His disposal. 2. That His people are dear to His heart, and that it is His purpose to defend them. 3. That the revolutions among nations, the rise... [ Continue Reading ]
FOREBODINGS FORBIDDEN (_A Motto Text for the New Year._) Isaiah 43:5. _Fear not, for I am with thee_. Again we enter upon the dark of uncertainty. Standing upon the threshold of another year, which we know by experience will have its cares, and its perils, and its sorrows. What is the true antidot... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD’S CALL, OUR DIRECTORY (_Missionary Sermon._) Isaiah 43:6. _I will say to the south, Keep not back_. I. THE GRANDEUR OF THE SPEAKER. “_I_ will say.” Who is He? The tone He assumes is that of one who need only _speak_ to be heard, felt, and obeyed through all nature. It is He who is the great I A... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD’S WITNESSES Isaiah 43:10. _Ye are my witnesses_. This is what Jesus says to us. He has left His fame in our hands (Acts 1:8). He could have done without us. But He has chosen the weak things to witness as to what He has done and is doing now. I. WHY GOD HAS CHOSEN A BELIEVER FOR THIS WORK. Be... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE LORD AND SAVIOUR (_Missionary Sermon._) Isaiah 43:11. _I, even I, am the Lord; and beside Me there is no Saviour_. I. THIS IS A DECLARATION THAT IS NOW NEEDLESS IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD. All the civilised nations are convinced that, if there is a God at all, there is only one God. What an int... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD’S WITNESSES Isaiah 43:12. _Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God_. Catch a view of the picture with which these words are connected, and then let us look at the sentiment in relation to ourselves. God is supposed to be observing the conduct of man in relation to Himself. He sees th... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ETERNITY AND OMNIPOTENCE OF GOD Isaiah 43:13. _Yea, before the day was, &c._ The doctrine taught here is— 1. That God is from everlasting—for if He was before _time_, He must have been eternal (H. E. I. 2253; P. O. 1493). 2. That He is unchangeably the same—a doctrine which is, as it is here... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FUTURE BETTER THAN THE PAST Isaiah 43:19. _Behold, I will do a new thing, &c._ God’s messages to Israel are steeped in imagery supplied by their past experiences. From this familiar store the figurative expressions of the text are derived; it holds out a challenge to faith, a rebuke to unbelie... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD’S PEOPLE Isaiah 43:21. _This people I have formed for myself, they shall show forth my praise_. INTRODUCTION. [1396] [1396] In ancient history we read of a prince, who, from the summit of his palace beholding the metropolis of his extensive empire, exulted thus, “This is Babylon the great—Baby... [ Continue Reading ]
HOPE FOR THE PENITENT Isaiah 43:24. _Thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, &c._ These words are addressed to penitent sinners, mourning before God on account of their transgressions. I joy to bring to them this message of mercy and peace. Listen, then, O mourners in Zion, I. TO A DECLARATION OF... [ Continue Reading ]