Parallel Commentaries
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

59:1-8 If our prayers are not answered, and the salvation we wait for is not wrought for us, it is not because God is weary of hearing prayer, but because we are weary of praying. See here sin in true colours, exceedingly sinful; and see sin in its consequences, exceedingly hurtful, separating from God, and so separating us, not only from all good, but to all evil. Yet numbers feed, to their own destruction, on infidel and wicked systems. Nor can their skill or craft, in devising schemes, as the spider weaves its web, deliver or save them. No schemes of self-wrought salvation shall avail those who despise the Redeemer's robe of righteousness. Every man who is destitute of the Spirit of Christ, runs swiftly to evil of some sort; but those regardless of Divine truth and justice, are strangers to peace.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 1-8. - A GENERAL REBUKE OF ISRAEL FOR ITS MANIFOLD SINS, The command given to the prophet in Isaiah 58:1 to "show God's people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins " - partly executed in Isaiah 58:4-7 and 13 - is now further carried out by a scathing denunciation of various forms of wickedness, more or less prevalent in Israel, the effect of which has been to separate between Israel and God, to "shorten God's hand" and "make his ears heavy." The passage has many analogies with Isaiah 1:2-23. Verse 1. - The Lord's hand is not shortened; i.e. God is not less able to help than of old; his "hand" has lost none of its power. That he does not help is owing to the iniquities of his people, which have separated between him and them (ver. 2). It is the same fact which has made his ear heavy. He cannot hear prayers that are not sincere - not from the heart. 

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,.... It is not for want of power in the Lord, that he has not as yet destroyed the enemies of his people, antichrist, and the antichristian states, and saved them out of their hands, and made them to triumph over them; or brought on the glorious state of the church, and fulfilled the promises of good things, suggested in the latter part of the preceding chapter. His hand is as long as ever, and as able to reach his and their enemies in the greatest height of power, or at the greatest distance, and to do every good thing for them; his power is as great as ever, and not in the least abridged or curtailed. 

Neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: the prayers of his people, their cries unto him on their fast days, of which he seemed to take no notice, complained of Isaiah 58:3, this is not owing to any want of attention in him, or of readiness to hear prayer made unto him; for he is a God hearing and answering prayer, and is ready to help his people in every time of need, who apply to him in a proper and suitable manner; his eyes are upon them, and his ears are open to their cries. And this is introduced with a "behold", as requiring attention, and deserving the notice and consideration of his people. The Targum is, 

"behold, not through defect of hand (or power) from the Lord ye are not saved; nor because it is heavy to him to hear, that your prayer is not received.'' 

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 59

Isa 59:1-21. The People's Sin the Cause of Judgments: They at Last Own It Themselves: the Redeemer's Future Interposition in Their Extremity.

The reason why Jehovah does not deliver His people, notwithstanding their religious services (Isa 58:3), is not want of power on His part, but because of their sins (Isa 59:1-8); Isa 59:9-15 contain their confession; Isa 59:16-21, the consequent promise of the Messiah.

1. hand … shortened—(See on [858]Isa 50:2).

http://biblehub.com/isaiah/59-1.htm

TITLE: HE LIFTED ME OUT! 

CHORUS: 
He lifted me out of the deep miry clay; 
He settled my feet in the straight, narrow way; 
He lifted me up to a heavenly place, 
And floodeth my soul each day with His grace. 
======================================== 
I was out on the broad way of sin and despair, 
Crushed beneath my burden of sorrow and care; 
My constant companions were trouble and doubt, 
Till Jesus reached down and lifted me out. 
======================================== 
I was wandering afar from my Saviour and home, 
Fainting and weary in sin did I roam; 
I needed a hand to turn me about, 
Then Jesus reached down and lifted me out. 
======================================== 
I was building my home on the dry shifting sand, 
Casting my lot in a cold barren land; 
You're doomed now for aye I heard Satan shout; 
But Jesus reached down and lifted me out. 
======================================== 
I have started for heaven my heart filled with song 
Wandering is over my sins all are gone; 
Through Jesus' own blood cleansed within and without 
O praise His dear name He lifted me out.

"When your enemy presses in hard do not fear 
The battle belongs to the Lord 
Take courage my friend, your redemption is near 
The battle belongs to the Lord!!!!! " 

Through the mighty Name of Jesus we can receive all the blessings of GOD, through the mighty Name of Jesus we have access to the throne room of GOD. Jesus Christ loved us so much, He gave His life to free us, will He not also hear our cries?. come to Him believing in His power to meet our needs. Jesus Christ will never fail us, He is the answer to the cry of humanity.

 "14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit."Galatians 3

The battle belongs to the Lord - 2Chro 20:15


 When faced with a problem or challenge, we tend to ask ourselves, “What am I going to do?” And well-meaning family members and friends will come along and ask, “What are you going to do?”Jehoshaphat faced a multitude of enemies. But instead of focusing on what he would do, he prayed, “O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” 


(2 Chronicles 20:12) When we turn our eyes to God, we will hear Him say, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great 
multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s… You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord…” (2 Chronicles 20:15, 17) But standing still is the last thing we 
want to do when the enemy is coming against us. It is also the most difficult thing to do because we feel that we cannot just stand around and do nothing — we must try to save the situation. 

 But God wants us to stand still and see Jesus our salvation fight for us.So what do you do the next time you are faced with a battle and don’t know what to do? Jehoshaphat sent his singers to the front of the army to proclaim, “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.” (2 Chronicles 20:21) Some people will wonder, “Does that mean that I just sing and don’t do anything else when I have a problem?” No, that is not what I am saying.

Do what the situation requires, but don’t worry and don’t trust in what you do. Like Jehoshaphat, rest and trust in His mercy that endures forever. When you do that, God will turn your battlefield into the Valley of Berachah. Berachah means “blessings”. The children of Israel gave the battlefield this name because it took them three days to gather all the spoils of war! God turned their situation into a great blessing!
 (2 Chronicles 20:25–26) Do you have a battle to fight? Stand still 
and see the salvation of the Lord!

http://blog.designforgod.com/post/17069625766/the-battle-belongs-to-the-lord-2chro-20-15