Isaiah 44:3-4 - Homiletics

Water a symbol of Divine grace.

It has been shown (in the comment on Isaiah 44:3 )

An analogy thus recommended seems entitled to be viewed as something more than poetic imagery, and may properly be made the subject of our serious thought. In what respects, then, we may ask, does the symbolism hold?

I. WATER IS COMMON , ABUNDANT , FREELY GIVEN TO MANKIND AT LARGE . So is it with Divine grace. Christ, the Light of the world, lighteth every man that cometh into it ( John 1:9 ). What men call "the light of nature" is an illumination poured by God into the soul, and this light is common to all. It shows men the way that they should walk in; it enables them to discern between right and wrong; if they would follow it, it would guide them to heaven. Nor does Divine grace stop at this point. To those who struggle to do right God's assisting grace is never wanting. His Spirit strives with all men ( Genesis 6:3 ); his mercy is over all his works ( Psalms 145:9 ); he is "no respecter of persons" ( Acts 10:34 ).

II. WATER IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO LIFE . Nothing living, whether animal or vegetable, can exist without water. No spiritual life can exist without grace. Without moisture, neither can the embryo be formed, nor will the seed germinate. Without grace there is no commencement of spiritual life. Water is needed for the sustentation of both plants and animals. Grace is needed for the sustentation of the quickened spirit.

III. WATER CLEANSES MEN 'S BODIES FROM ALL FILTH AND POLLUTION . The pace of God cleanses their souls from the filthiness and impurity of sin. His grace is the "one fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness" ( Zechariah 13:1 ); the precious influences of his Spirit can alone take away impurity, and make the soiled soul once more clean in his sight. Wonderful is the cleansing power of water; still more wonderful is the guilt-removing power of grace. Sins that were "as scarlet" are by grace made "white as snow;" iniquities that were "red as crimson" become "as wool" ( Isaiah 1:18 ). It is not merely that the sins themselves are forgiven, but the "evil heart," from which they proceeded, is washed, sanctified, and cleansed, so as to retain no taint of evil.

IV. WATER REFRESHES AND RENOVATES THOSE WHO ABE WEARY AND FAINT . There is no refreshment to the faint and weary soul comparable to the pouring out upon it of God's Spirit. When "the parched ground becomes a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water" ( Isaiah 35:7 ), the result is a complete transformation of the whole appearance of things. "The wilderness and the solitary place" at once "are glad … the desert rejoices and blossoms like the rose It blossoms abundantly … the glory of Lebanon is given to it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon" ( Isaiah 35:1 , Isaiah 35:2 ). Similarly, when the dry and thirsty soul obtains a "time of refreshing from the Lord" ( Acts 3:19 ), its whole condition is on a sudden changed. Gladness succeeds to gloom, happiness to despair, an almost ecstatic bliss to a dull, gnawing sense of misery. The soul puts forth blossoms—rejoices with joy and singing (see the Psalms, passim ).