Remembering the Works of the Lord
"Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?" - Isaiah 63:11
Isaiah 63:11 states, "Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?" This profound verse, nestled within the broader narrative of Isaiah's prophetic words, encapsulates a moment of reflection and longing, where God Himself recalls the mighty acts of deliverance He performed for His people Israel.
The context surrounding Isaiah's writing is crucial. The Israelites were in a state of desolation, facing the consequences of their disobedience and sin. As Isaiah speaks, he draws the attention of both Israel and God to their shared history, reminding them of the glory of past deliverance. When the Israelites were trapped at the Red Sea with Pharaoh's army behind them, God acted mightily. He instructed Moses to lift his rod, and the seas parted, providing a miraculous path for His people to escape. This act was not just a demonstration of divine power; it symbolized God's unwavering commitment to deliver and sustain His chosen ones.
In this reflection, the first key element we observe is the act of memory. "Then he remembered..." suggests that remembrance is vital in our relationship with God. Memory serves as a powerful tool that not only sustains our faith but helps us navigate our present challenges. When we recall God's past faithfulness, we cultivate trust for our current and future struggles. As God's children, we can look back and remember the moments He intervened in our lives, providing us with strength during times of uncertainty. Just as God remembered what He had done for Moses and the Israelites, we are encouraged to cling to our testimonies and the testimonies of believers throughout history.
Secondly, the contrast between the past glories and the present desolation highlights the longing for God's presence among His people. The rhetorical questions posed—"Where is he that brought them up out of the sea?"—resonate with a poignant sense of loss and yearning. Here, God reflects on the absence of His power and presence and expresses a deep desire for the restoration of that connection. For today's believers, this is a stark reminder that in times of spiritual dryness or struggle, we must seek out the presence of God. When we feel distant from Him, it is vital to pursue His Holy Spirit diligently, just as He imbued Moses with divine presence and direction.
Moreover, the phrase "...where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?" speaks to the intimate relationship God desires to maintain with His people. After God appointed Moses, it was His Spirit that empowered him to lead and guide Israel. Reflecting on this relationship invites us to wrestle with the question: Are we fully utilizing the Holy Spirit that dwells within us? Our spiritual walk is fraught with trials, and understanding that He has placed His Holy Spirit within us equips us for the challenges we face daily. We must lean into this divine helper for guidance, comfort, and strength.
Finally, this verse evokes an understanding of leadership and community within the faith. God remembers not only Moses but also "his people.” This implies that our journey of faith is communal. Together, as the Church, we recollect God’s faithfulness, encouraging one another as we walk through life’s storms. As we share stories of His past deeds and current workings, we strengthen the body of Christ and remind one another that God is still in control and still working among us.
In essence, Isaiah 63:11 implores us to remember the history of God’s mighty acts, to seek His presence diligently, and to recognize the power of His Spirit within us. As we do so, we ignite hope, fostering a bright vision of His faithfulness as we journey through our lives. Let us aim to be people who remember, who seek, and who share in the collective memory of God's abiding presence and power.
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Isaiah 63:11 - "Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?"
"Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?" - Isaiah 63:11
Isaiah 63:13 - "That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?"
Isaiah 63:4 - "For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come."
Isaiah 63:8 - "For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour."
Isaiah 63:2 - "Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?"
Isaiah 63:19 - "We are thine: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name."
Isaiah 63:10 - "¶ But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them."
Isaiah 63:18 - "The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary."
Isaiah 63:12 - "That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?"
Isaiah 63:6 - "And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth."
"For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come." - Isaiah 63:4
"That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?" - Isaiah 63:13
Isaiah 63:14 - "As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name."
Isaiah 63:1 - "Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save."
"Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save." - Isaiah 63:1
Psalms 63:11 - "But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped."
"In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old." - Isaiah 63:9
Isaiah 63:5 - "And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me."
Isaiah 63:2 Why is Your apparel red, And Your garments like one who treads in the winepress?
"For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour." - Isaiah 63:8
Isaiah 63:9 - "In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old."
Isaiah 63:17 - "¶ O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance."
Isaiah 63:16 - "Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting."
Isaiah 63:15 - "¶ Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?"
"Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?" - Isaiah 63:2
Isaiah 63:10 But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; So He turned Himself against them as an enemy, And He fought against them.
"We are thine: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name." - Isaiah 63:19
Isaiah 63:3 - "I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment."
"¶ But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them." - Isaiah 63:10