A KEY SCRIPTURE

Isaiah 41:17 "The poor and needy seek water, but there is none, Their tongues fail for thirst. I, the LORD, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them."

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ARRIVING AT AN ANSWER

God's provision for His people in dire need is guaranteed when they call on Him. The promise is, "I, the LORD, will hear them." The Lord assures those who turn to Him that He will not forsake them. He is omnipresent. What the needy require is the Lord to be present as their helper. This is exactly what is promised:

Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'"

Help is promised to those who cannot help themselves. He gives the inner strength, making it possible to turn to Him, cry to Him, and rely on Him. He will give inner strength to live for Him. He will give the outer strength of the Helper of the helpless. Whatever difficulties face the needy, He will confront and cater for in His strength. His promise that He will not "forsake" (Isaiah 41:17 ) includes proving Himself as the Helper of the helpless, so that those overcome become overcomers.

Those who need to seek the Lord are vividly described. They are wretched in their poverty. "Poor and needy," hopeless in their self-help. "Seeking water, but there is none." Distressed in their plight, their "tongues fail for thirst" (Isaiah 41:17 NKJV ). While this tragic state was literal for the people addressed by God through Isaiah, there is a spiritual condition that can only be perceived by the Holy Spirit ministry of conviction (John 16:8-9 ). The Spirit leads to Christ Jesus the true Helper of the helpless.

Great assurance is received by those who turn to the Lord. The Lord all-powerful and all-present gives His word, "I, the LORD, will hear them." (Isaiah 41:17 NKJV ). For the Lord to hear involves His responding positively. He is the God of those who prevail with Him in prayer - He is the God of Israel (Genesis 32:26-28 ). Are you named by God, "prevailer"?

The picture God paints of His abundant supply in Isaiah 41:18-19, is breath-taking. Not only will Israel's enemies be put to shame, all her desperate need will be met by God.

None today turn to God in vain. Using the same picture we can see that God gives:

	"Rivers" of the Spirit (John 7:37-38 ).
	A "fountain" of refreshment "springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14 NKJV ).
	"A pool" taking those who were once parched and using them as irrigators of others (Ecclesiastes 2:6 ).
	And a place of healing for the sick (John 5:2-7 ).
	He makes His people "springs of water" to bring spiritual life to dry lands (Matthew 28:18-20 ).

It is intended that the Lord's presence and work among His people be seen and known by the nations (Isaiah 41:20 ).

A LEADING QUESTION

A KEY SCRIPTURE

Isaiah 57:15 "For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

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ARRIVING AT AN ANSWER

God chooses to dwell in the human spirit that is correctable and teachable. Maturity of spirit is attained by these two abilities of the human spirit

The answer lies in understanding the meaning of "a contrite" spirit. The amplified translation is helpful; for "contrite" "thoroughly penitent." The Hebrew word 'dakka' :

"means bruised, humbled, discouraged, broken (in spirit) , cast down, contrite. When we are in that state, God can mold us (Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 57:15; Jeremiah 44:10.)" Spiros Zodhiates - The Hebrew-Greek Key study Bible (Baker)

Strong's concordance says of 'dakka' that it means "crushed (lit. powder, or fig. contrite) contrite, destruction."

The spirit in which God is pleased to dwell, is the spirit that beats to dust, to destruction, that which is not pleasing to Him. A spirit that co-operates with God is a spirit that is correctable. This kind of spirit God responds to by reviving and renewing. Out of the contrite dust He recreates and remakes a right spirit.

The contrite, correctable spirit is indwelt by the God of salvation, the spirit experiences His saving health. The harmony of the spirit pervades the disharmony of the soulish mind, correcting the contrary will - subduing emotional, fleshly conduct to the will of God, assisted by the living presence of the reviving, quickening, recovering, repairing, making whole, God.

	Being open to the Holy Spirit's adjustments and correction.
	Being affected by reverence and trembling for the Word of God (Isaiah 66:2 ).
	Being willing to concede what is below God's standards and requirements.
	Being willing to be changed, readjusted and repaired by God the Holy Spirit.
	Being willing to be a sacrifice acceptable to God (Psalm 51:17 ).

The opposite of humble is haughty - that is a proud spirit, ready to fall, not teachable, stubborn, that holds tenaciously to wrong opinions even when proved wrong.

Do not mistake humble to mean self-depreciation. It is more positive than that - it is self-yielding to the Word and instruction of God - teachable because it is not self-opinionated, rather it worshipfully submits to the all- wisdom of God.

The humble spirit is revealed in the choices it makes.

The humble choose to be open to explanation (Psalm 119:144 ).

	It chooses the fellowship of the lowly in preference to sharing plunder with the proud (Proverbs 16:19 ).
	The humble spirit chooses honour that is teachable, it obtains and retains - rejecting pride that abases (Proverbs 29:23 ).
	Like wisdom, the humble choose to be easily entreated (Psalm 119:133 ).

The choices of the human spirit give insight into the honour it retains. The greatness of that honour is the abiding presence of God (Joshua 1:9 ). A human spirit that is not teachable can become so by receiving a new spirit, a tender, teachable spirit. Only God can give such a spirit and make this amazing change.

Ezekiel 11:19 "And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:"

Is there any action to be taken to co-operate with God in receiving a new spirit? Yes, the action of repentance.

Ezekiel 18:31 "Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel?"

A human spirit that is flexible to the Holy Spirit can be led and taught. When the spirit is blocked with pride and is stony in resistance it is unteachable. Such a spirit needs to be broken down with conviction, and brought to release through confession and cleansing (1 John 1:9 ).

When the spirit is humbled, or as the Lord called it "poor in spirit" (Matthew 5:3 ), it has no vain views of self, possessing nothing that resists the Holy Spirit, it loses itself in God. When temptation comes there is nothing to which it can appeal, for the spirit is safely absorbed with the Lord and His commands, emulating the Lord (John 14:31 ).

God chooses a correctable, teachable spirit in which to live, because such a spirit can be taught to live in Him. God the benevolent resident, effects the removal of self-centred disturbance. The spirit learning to live in the consciousness of His presence, enjoys safety, sustainment and strength.