“He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.”
Isaiah 49:10b
The themes of the prophet Isaiah are comprehensive, from aspects of creation (42:5) to the foretelling of the Messiah (7:14; 9:6). He condemned sin and idolatry, but he spoke also with words of encouragement and hope. His word pictures (58:11, for example) are vivid, as in today’s passage which reminds us of David’s words in Psalm 23 when he speaks of being led beside quiet waters.
Think of water’s significance for sustaining all of life. Who has not been revived by water in some form or other? How welcomed is the rain that brings relief from drought? I suspect that every one of us finds refreshing and peace just sitting near the ocean, alongside a river, beneath a waterfall, or at the edge of a lake. When we think of Jesus, our Living Water and the Good Shepherd who leads us beside still waters, we know how rich this image is.
Yet at times our souls are troubled. We lie down to sleep with prayer on our lips, begging the Lord to still those turbulent waters. Ask Him to lead you to the quiet waters, to the place of His love and peace. He will not fail you.
Think of water’s significance for sustaining all of life. Who has not been revived by water in some form or other? How welcomed is the rain that brings relief from drought? I suspect that every one of us finds refreshing and peace just sitting near the ocean, alongside a river, beneath a waterfall, or at the edge of a lake. When we think of Jesus, our Living Water and the Good Shepherd who leads us beside still waters, we know how rich this image is.
Yet at times our souls are troubled. We lie down to sleep with prayer on our lips, begging the Lord to still those turbulent waters. Ask Him to lead you to the quiet waters, to the place of His love and peace. He will not fail you.
Scripture Focus
Isaiah 49:8-13
Insight
“By waters calm, o’er troubled sea,/ still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me.” (J.H. Gilmore, 1862)
Bible In A Year
- Genesis 16-17
- Psalm 8
- Matthew 13
