Charles Spurgeon Commentary Isaiah 26:17-18

"Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain and crieth out in her pangs; so we have been before thee, O Jehovah. We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen." — Isaiah 26:17-18 (ASV)

Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pain; so have we been in thy sight O LORD. We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.

Ah, no! all the agonies of a mind, all the troubles of a soul, cannot save it. This is the work of grace; this is the gift of God.

What a mercy it is that such a cheering promise as this next verse contains comes in just here!

Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD. We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.

Here is the poor Church of God in great trouble; she says she has been disappointed, her bitterest pangs have not brought her what she expected. What will happen then? God will interpose.