Charles Spurgeon Commentary Isaiah 44:1-2

"Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant, and Israel, who I have chosen: Thus saith Jehovah that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, who will help thee: Fear not, O Jacob my servant; and thou, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen." — Isaiah 44:1-2 (ASV)

Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: Thus says the LORD that made you, and formed you from the womb, who will help you; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and you, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.

He comes back to that point again, you see: Israel whom I have chosen, Thus says the Lord that made you. See the deep argument for infinite love. God will not forsake the work of His own hands. I have formed you, and chosen you; therefore, fear you not, but come to me anew, and serve me from now on with all your heart.

Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: Thus says the LORD that made you, and formed you from the womb, which will help you; Fear not, O Jacob, my Servant; and you, Jesurum, whom I have chosen.

God cannot bear his people to be sad; he delights to drive away fear, trembling, and mistrust. He loves faith, for faith brings confidence, hope, and rest. So he says to us, "Fear not, fear not, do not be afraid." It is God himself, who made us and who chose us, who says to us, "Do not fear." Come, dear hearts, lay aside your anxiety, if God tells you to cast away fear, will you not do it?

Nothing hushes a baby to sleep like its mother's voice. Let God's voice hush you into sweet and blessed calm whenever you are troubled and full of fear.

Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.

You see, the Lord goes on to show his people that, if they were in trouble, they had brought it upon themselves. If the sanctuary had been degraded, it was because both themselves and their teachers had transgressed against God. But, after he has justified his wrath, he still goes on to talk of mercy; and, oh, with what abundance of love does he address these wandering people of his!