Isaiah 43:13 (NKJV): Indeed before the day was, I AM HE; and there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?
In the Amplified Bible, it is written this way: "Yes, from the time of the first existence of day and from this day forth I AM HE; and there is no one who can deliver out of My hand. I will work, and who can hinder or reverse it?"
His work is sure. In fact, He is your only sure foundation in the midst of all the turmoils and uncertainties in this world today. His work on the cross is also sure, and His victory has already been won some 2,000 years ago. Based on this sure work of Jesus Christ on the cross, you too can also be sure of your victory and breakthrough today. And when He works, who can hinder or reverse it?
He is the I AM WHO I AM (Exodus 3:14). He is the same I AM HE who delivered His people out of Egypt, the same I AM HE who opened the Red Sea, and if you are a believer, He is still the same I AM HE in you today!
Let's now cross refer to John 18:3-6. Here, Jesus (the I AM HE who became flesh) was betrayed and about to be arrested by the officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. When they came looking for Him, He answered and said, "I AM HE", and at that very moment, they drew back and fell to the ground (John 18:6). You see, no one could ever hinder or reverse Him! He is the All-Powerful, the Great I AM. Yet, because you were on His mind and because of His great love for you, He willingly gave Himself up to be arrested, and later, even died on the cross for you. Not that He was powerless, but He did it for your sake.
Isaiah 59:19 says, "So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him."
Not every time the word 'flood' is mentioned in the Bible, it has to be a disaster or calamity. In fact, the word 'flood' here in Isaiah 59:19 is 'nahar' in Hebrew, which means 'great waters, overflowing waters, running waters, abundance, prosperity, sparkle, or be cheerful'. It's actually a picture of God carrying the enemy away like a flood! This is a 'good' flood, the flood of God that washes away the enemy! So, which one is correct in this context here? The 'enemy is like a flood', or 'God is like a flood'? My answer is 'God is like a flood'!
Hence, Isaiah 59:19 should be understood this way: The name of the Lord, the I AM HE is to be feared from the east to the west, and like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against the enemy. Isaiah 28:2 confirms it: "Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one, like a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, like a flood of mighty waters overflowing..."
Isaiah 59:19 also says 'the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against the enemy'. The word 'standard' here is pronounced 'noos' in Hebrew, which also means 'to put to flight, to chase away, to be displayed, to put up a banner'. Look now at Exodus 17:9-15. When Moses held up his hand against the enemy (i.e. Amalek), God's people prevailed. And that's how the Lord utterly blotted out the works of the enemy! Later on, Moses built an altar and called its name YHWH Nissi, i.e. The-Lord-Is-My-Banner.
Isaiah 44:3 says, "For I will pour (out) water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring." This prophecy has been fulfilled in Acts 2:1-4. As you receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you (Acts 1:8), the Spirit of the Lord (in you) shall 'put to flight, chase away, be displayed, put up a banner' against the enemy. Amen!
The Bible says, 'He who is in you is greater than he that is in this world' (1 John 4:4), and if He is for you, who can be against you? (Romans 8:31). So, no matter what you see around you at the moment, be assured that He's (surely) here to aid you against your 'enemy' (be it in your life, your family, your city, or even your nation). Do not let anyone rob you of this truth! That's exactly how He swept away the 'enemy' in Moses' days, and yes, like 'nahar', He's going to work the same through you today!
Imagine the mighty wave of running waters splashing and hitting the beach, and the 'enemy' is like someone holding a broom trying to sweep away the on-coming waves! It's in vain! No one can hinder or reverse God's mighty waters! Not by might (whether of human or other forces/resources), nor by power (of human ability or capacity), but by the Spirit of the Lord!
Note: Your enemy is not flesh and blood, but principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this age, and spiritual hosts of wickedness (see Ephesians 6:12).
People of God, know that not only His work is sure, but His covenant with you is also sure! See Isaiah 59:20-21. Interestingly, these verses come right after Isaiah 59:19! And you know what? With Isaiah 59:19-21 in you, that's how you can also be sure that you'll arise and shine, because your light has already come! (Isaiah 60:1) And the best piece of news is 'no one can take that away from you' (Isaiah 43:13). Hallelujah!
