God’s INVITATION to enjoy ABUNDANT LIFE
August 3 Bible Reading: Isaiah Chapters 55-57
God’s INVITATION to enjoy ABUNDANT LIFE
"Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to
the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine
and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is
not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me,
and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline
your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an
everlasting covenant with you-- the sure mercies of David." (Isaiah
55:1-3)
In Isaiah 55, God extends a general invitation to everyone to find their satisfaction and their
security in Him alone. This is a call to
revival for all who have wandered far from God or His grace that is the
basis for our relationship with Him. This is also a call to salvation for those who do not know Him personally,
promising a free but abundant and eternal life that is better than money can
buy.
God’s invitation is issued to the thirsty and the penniless—all
who will recognize their need for spiritual blessing and their inability to
meet the need themselves. “Waters”
and “wine and milk” are symbols of
abundant spiritual blessings. These blessings are the waters of the Holy Spirit, the wine
of joy, and the milk of God’s Word.
They are the free gifts of grace,
without money and price. True satisfaction and lasting pleasure are found only
in God! As Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman: "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever
drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that
I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into
everlasting life." (John 4:13-14)
When we return to God, we will also receive all the “sure mercies” promised to David (2 Sam.
7) in the everlasting covenant (Isaiah 55:3b; Psalm 89:3, 4, 28, 29). This covenant
promises that a descendant of David will rule eternally over a kingdom that
will bless all the nations (Luke 1:32, 33; 2:30–32). This will be fulfilled one
day in the Lord Jesus Christ and in His glorious reign. We will share in the
benefits of God’s kingdom. However, the pathway of blessing lies in seeking the
Lord and in forsaking sin. When we thus return to the Lord, we will find Him
full of mercy and pardon (Isaiah 55:6-7).
Thus, to those who “spend
money for what is not bread” and “wages
for what does not satisfy” (Isaiah 55:2), God offers a compelling
invitation: “Come to Me … and your soul
shall live” (v. 3). This marvelous call of God is extended to everyone in
this world. Anyone who is thirsty can drink of His waters of grace (55:1, 5).
This same invitation is still in effect for everyone today.
In the Book of Revelation, the Lord says, “I
will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts…and
let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires let him take the water of life
freely” (Rev. 21:6; 22:17).
Have you personally responded to God’s gift of life, through faith in Jesus Christ? Are you unsatisfied with what the world offers you? Are you still dying of thirst? God invites you to come, drink and enjoy the abundant life that He has made available for everyone!
