Fifth Sunday in Lent: Old Testament, Isaiah 43:16-21                          

Isaiah 43:16-21

Rescue. If there were one word to describe the action of God toward His people, I might choose the word “rescue.” It implies that someone has need, and further that the one in need may have no other recourse but to be rescued, delivered, if you will by one other than himself. Indeed, he cannot rescue himself. So is the narrative of the entire Scripture from first to last. Mankind is in utter rebellion against His Creator following “the fall” of humanity’s first parents in a Paradise Garden.

Throughout the Old Testament, the Covenant people of God regularly put themselves in seemingly impossible situations due to their disobedience. Consequently, there were a couple periods where they were actually removed from their homeland and ended up as servants of other peoples. They needed rescue. Our reading in the Old Testament for the week is a reminder that whereas God’s people were always responsible for their sin and what followed, God was always the Rescuer. And He identifies Himself just prior to our reading several times by simply declaring, “I am the LORD” (Is. 43:11, 15).

Our reading hammers away at the truth that God rescues His people. From sin, from opposing armies, from beasts and elements in the wilderness. God, and God alone rescues His people. God made us. God watches over us. God fits us for His presence by the very act of His rescue. And it is for this reason: that God’s people…”they might declare my praise” (v. 21).

God deserves our praise, for we certainly would perish if not for His rescue. He is ever present for us.