Isaiah 41:17: The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst; I, Yahweh, will answer them Myself. As the God of Israel I will not forsake them.

Three times in this chapter Yahweh reassures Israel. Do not fear, do not fear, do not fear. Don’t look to other gods in panic; I am with you. Don’t worry about those who attack you; I am your God. I will uphold you. I will help you.

He reminds them what He’s done in the past. When Israel was parched with thirst in the desert, Yahweh provided water. He’ll do it again. He will make rivers flow from the mountains, and draw out fountains and springs in the wilderness. He’ll turn the desert into a grove of trees.

“I will answer them Myself ,” He says. He uses the marital formula: “I will not forsake them.” He came in the wilderness to refresh His parched bride. He’ll do it again, and again.

You are the weak and needy, and God reminds us at this table that He has quenched our thirst in Jesus. He comes to us in person every week to feed us by His own hand at this marriage feast.

Look to this feast and recognize and know what God has done through Jesus. Look to this feast, and hear His words of comfort: Do not fear. Do not fear. Do not fear. Know that He is with you to help, the Lord your God in your midst, the Redeemer who upholds you.