◄ What Does Isaiah 58:11 Mean? ►

"And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 58:11(NASB)

Verse of the Day

The book of Isaiah is predominantly written to the people of Israel and takes them on the journey of God's redemptive plan, where the increasingly apostate nation is called to repent of their sins and return to the Lord their God. They are reminded that a Messiah is coming, but unless they repent of their sin, their continuing apostasy would seal their exile from the land that was given to their forefather, Abraham.

Isaiah informs them of impending judgements that would soon fall on the nations of the world for their treatment of God's people, but that God would also punish the errant kingdom of Israel for straying so far from Him. And as the book of Isaiah draws to a close, God also comforts His people with renewed promises of deliverance from their enemies, restoration to their land, and the arrival of God's chosen Servant, Who will be sent to save His people from their sins. "The Lord will continually guide you," is their wonderful promise. "The Lord will satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones. You will be like a watered garden, and a spring of water whose waters do not fail."

The truths of God's never-failing faithfulness, that are contained in His redemptive plan for Israel are equally pertinent for the Church today. He will satisfy our hunger and thirst for righteousness. He will continually guide us in the way we should go, and teach us all things, through the power of the indwelling Spirit. He has gone to prepare a place for us and is coming back to take us to be with Himself and like Israel, we will be like a watered garden, from whom will flow rivers of living water. In Christ, we will be like a spring of water whose waters never fail.

Like Israel, we have been delivered from the curse of the law, the bondage of sin, and its terrible wages. And like the remnant of believing Israel, we have already won the victory in Jesus Christ our Lord. We are reminded that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us, and that He who started a good work in us will complete it, in the day of Christ Jesus.

We are blessed to know that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will direct our way and govern our path. We are doubly blessed to know that the Spirit of God will guide us into all truth and lead us in the path of righteousness. We are held securely in the Father's hand, and no-one is able to pluck us out of our Saviour's keeping. Our parched soul has been revived and satisfied by the living water of life, which has become an inner spring of water, welling up into eternal life. Indeed, we know that we have a blessed hope and an eternal inheritance in Christ, that is kept for us in heaven.

Our loving heavenly Father has not only promised to lead us sometimes, or ofttimes, or even many times, or most times. He has promised to lead us and to guide us at ALL times and in ALL ways, through ALL places and throughout ALL the circumstances of life. He is not only there in the times of plenty and joy, but is our ever-present Helper though all our adversity, and He gently guides us when we are facing our most difficult days... when money is scarce and relationships fall apart, when loved ones pass on and threatening clouds of uncertainty blacken our skies. He has promised to be with us when life's many pressures and problems seem to blot out our hope, "for I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you - cast ALL your cares on ME."

He is not only the Provider of all our physical needs, but He is the Fountain of peace and pardon, the Well-spring of grace and strength, and His never-failing streams of salvation and security are ever flowing into the empty cup of the weary pilgrim. However far we have wandered from His loving arms, whenever we are burdened by the cares we are carrying... or whenever the concerns of others weigh heavily on our heart - His grace is sufficient, for His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

Remember, He is not only with you in the parched and weary land, but He will guide you through all those scorched and burning places for a purpose - to draw you closer into His outstretched arms of love and to take you deeper into an undertaking of Who He truly is... until you can say with Job, "I have learned all about You Lord, but now I have come to a deeper understanding of Who You truly are - I have come to know You in a more intimate and precious way, than ever before."

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your promises are very precious and are new every morning - great is Your faithfulness. Thank You that You lead and guide me at all times and that You are the only refreshment my soul needs. As I face today, I pray that new showers of Your sufficient grace will flood my weary soul so that rivers of Your living waters may flow through me to others who are in need of Your grace. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.