A LOVING INVITATION –{Isaiah 52-55}
9:00 PM
As we watch the news, read the paper or just simple talk with people, we are able to see how desperate this world is for God’s Saving Grace! But at the same time a great part of the people are comfortable as they are… satisfied with their own life style, until something tragic strikes!
As I look back at my own life that is exactly how I was! Until one day I found out what this world has to offer is vanity; that there is NOTHING this world can offer to quench our thirst, to free us from sin and desperation!
“Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;
And you who have no money come, buy grain and eat.
Come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without cost [simply accept it as a gift from God].”(Is.55:1)
What an amazing God we have! We are all welcome to His Saving Grace! He has set the table with the richest food no money can buy!
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5)
Jesus offered this same invitation: “37 Now on the last and most important day of the feast, Jesus stood and called out [in a loud voice], “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink! 38 He who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as the Scripture has said, ‘From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water.’ (John 7:37 AMP)
Come! The things God offers are already paid for: for Christ purchased them at the full price of his own blood!! (1 Peter 1:19)
In chapter 55:2-3, we find the second part of this invitation:
“Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight in abundance.
Incline your ear [to listen] and come to Me;
Hear, so that your soul may live;” (55:2b-3 Emphasis mine)
“Incline your ear: The thought carries over from the idea of let your soul delight itself in abundance. Whoever will genuinely "feast" off of the Word must consciously incline their ear towards what God will say. This explains why two people can listen to the same message, and one benefit and the other not. Often, the one who did not benefit simply did not incline their ear to the LORD.” (David Guzik)
The final part of the invitation is: “Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call on Him [for salvation] while He is near. Let the wicked leave (behind) his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, And He will have compassion (mercy) on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.” (55:6-7 Emphasis mine)
Yes, this is the time of Grace! Let us fervently seek Him and follow Him and not take this invitation for granted! (Psalm 144:4) Seek Him through His Word, worship and prayer and He will bless you abundantly! We must not forget those who have not yet accepted His invitation, or have gone stray… we must continue to pray for them and witness with our testimony and the power of His Word. For He has promised:
“For as the rain and snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth,
Making it bear and sprout, And providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So will My word be which goes out of My mouth;
It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” (55:10-11)
“Sacred truth produces a spiritual change in the mind of men, which neither rain nor snow can make on the earth. It shall not return to the Lord without producing important effects. ” M. Henry
He is Faithful!!
Mari
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