Day 48: Isaiah 44:1-4

“But now listen, Jacob, my servant,
Israel, whom I have chosen.
This is what the Lord says—
he who made you, who formed you in the womb,
and who will help you:
Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant,
Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
and my blessing on your descendants.
They will spring up like grass in a meadow,
like poplar trees by flowing streams.

This scripture talks about Israel, God’s chosen people. In this we see a promise made to Israel, but it is also a promise to us. If we say, “I am the Lord’s” and we submit ourselves to the God of Israel, then we are also heirs of this promise.

What is the promise? It is the promise of the Holy Spirit! Verse 3 says that God will pour out His Spirit on us. He’s not going to just sprinkle it on us. When I picture something being poured or if we say, “It is pouring outside,” I picture myself getting soaked, completely drenched. God wants to drench us and fill us with His Spirit. As a Christian, we should seek this fullness of the Spirit.

As I read this passage in Isaiah, I see that with the outpouring of the Spirit comes:

  • a conquering of our fears. (v. 2) Trouble won’t be taken away. We may still face health issues, hardship at work, strained relationships…. But, by opening our hearts to the outpouring of the Spirit, we can be filled with hope and conquer our fears.

  • a longing that is satisfied. (vs. 3) It talks about pouring water on thirsty ground. The Spirit satisfies our souls and gives us hope. I love to read that this pouring out of the Spirit will satisfy and refresh and bless my children and my grandchildren!

  • a life of growth. (vs. 4) We can drink of the Holy Spirit continually like a tree by a stream constantly soaks up the water. It is not meant to be a one-time thing – it is a way of life.

I love that the hope we get from the outpouring of the Holy Spirit can lead us into a life of joy. Thank God for the promise of His Spirit.

Pam Little | Director of Children’s Ministry

Amy Tabler