Isaiah 50:2
Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.
The verse opens with His coming and calling, finding no man present and none to answer, followed by His own declaration that His hand is not shortened that it cannot redeem and that He has power to deliver. At His rebuke He dries up the sea and makes the rivers a wilderness, so that their fish stink because there is no water and die for thirst. That act displays His authority over creation and His power to rescue. Because of that power over the sea and rivers no obstacle is beyond Him, so His people can trust His wisdom and strength to redeem and deliver.
The verse is a reproof to leaders in the cause and to those connected with institutions for disregarding His reproofs and neglecting the duty to warn the people what is truth. It charges them with having great light yet not receiving it with faith and not following on to know the Lord. They accept only the word they choose and fail in thorough consecration to God, so that many souls remain unwarned of the reasons of faith. Divine judgment is warned for these neglected duties. Heeding this reproof together with Isaiah 50-58, stopping all complaining and every evil work, opens understanding of Isaiah 60-65. That heeding brings the manifestation of His power in the conviction and conversion of souls.
In contrast to fluctuating, blustering men who have no dependable standing place, constant perseverance in the right direction and rational effort in cooperation with Him means success and victory. Those who are laborers together with God share His firm character instead of standing in a negative, waiting position. They weigh carefully all sides of a question, step firmly by faith, and follow on to know the Lord. The chapter is to be read alongside Isaiah 35 and claimed as promises in times of need and emergency for encouragement when spiritual lack, disappointment, disaffection, halting, and unbelief are seen among churches and believers. That includes meeting those who are not willing to be helped and strengthened and facing a strong spirit of unbelief worked by evil angels in the form of believers assembling to counterwork His Spirit, with faith remaining strong when others are unwilling to be helped.
Claiming those promises means staying strong in faith in God proved true in the past and bringing a true heart to the help of the Lord against satanic agencies. It means refusing to repeat discouraging human words and instead repeating His rich promises which are yea and amen in Christ Jesus and making His Word the strong testimony. It means leaning on His sure promise and taking hold of His mighty assurances in Christ and His Word. It means remembering Christ who instructed the angels before their fall and came to save souls brought under evil powers through Satan's temptations, whose life and death show what sacrifice heaven was willing to make so that people might not perish but have everlasting life.