Abundant Life

Come everyone who thirsts

English Standard Version Chapter 55

55 “Come, everyone who thirsts,

come to the waters;

and he who has no money,

come, buy and eat!

The point here most likely that everyone thirsts, everyone is hungry. The first invitation, Come to the waters, underlines a life-threatening need and an abundant supply.

J. Alec Motyer, Isaiah: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 20, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1999), 387. As an early need we discover that we need water. Water is used to drink, cook, wash, ect… Towns and whole communities were built around a water source.

Isaiah: An Introduction and Commentary ii. The Great Invitation (54:1–55:13)

The second invitation, come, buy and eat, extended to the one who has no money, highlights inability and helplessness: on the one hand, how can one without money buy?

It is not too difficult to figure out that, in the world you cannot buy without money. Come, buy wine and milk

without money and without price.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Is 55:1.

The later part of verse 1 would lead one to believe this is different than what the world tells us about life. This invitation is to something much greater.

English Standard Version Chapter 55

2  Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,

and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Verse 2 starts out with a question. The world can get caught up in worldly needs that in the end do not satisfy. A good friend of mine, after returning from a mission trip to Haiti, explained to me that he was giving up his passion for restoring corvettes so that he could do more to feed the people. He did this not because he did not love corvettes but because after seeing the hunger in Haiti he could not ignore the great need.

His passion now reflected the good stuff that verse 2 talks about. Seeing people with full bellies, if only for a short time, satisfied him. Corvettes are beautiful and not a bad thing at all, and they can be rewarding, but satisfaction is found in giving.

Verse 3 tells us that if we listen, and come to him, you shall live. 3  Incline your ear, and come to me;

hear, that your soul may live;

and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,

my steadfast, sure love for David.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Is 55:3). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

The world wants life on its terms rather than the good stuff.

Have you often wondered about those who may or may not come to church? Read verse 5 and meditate. 5  Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know,

and a nation that did not know you shall run to you,

because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel,

for he has glorified you.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Is 55:5). (2016). Crossway Bibles. God must call them first and when He calls you must be ready to call the world to come. How do we know who He has called? We just call the community and world and those who the Spirit has called will come. This is where we get the understanding that it is not our job to convict, but it is for us to preach the good news. The Spirit convicts.

What must we all do as sinners to restore life? 7  let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts;

let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,

and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Is 55:7). (2016). Crossway Bibles. Now don’t think for a minute that Isaiah is not talking about you and me. O Israel, hope in the LORD!

For with the LORD there is steadfast love,

and with him is great power to redeem.

It is he who will redeem Israel

from all its iniquities.

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Ps 130:7–8). (1989). Thomas Nelson Publishers.

English Standard Version Chapter 55

8  For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.

9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Pardon is beyond our comprehension. I have heard so many people claim they are not worthy. It is true but His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. I want to leave you with a final thought today. This is one I have heard from Christians-why does God forgive death bed confessions? I have been a Christian for 50 years and I don’t think that is fair.

Perhaps being forgiven at all is not fair. The loss is for the lost time serving God.