Isaiah 55:1-3 - REALLY LIVING!!!
Isaiah 55:1-3 - REALLY LIVING!!!
Isaiah 55:1-3 (NCV) The LORD says, "All you who are thirsty,
come and drink. Those of you who do not have money, come, buy and
eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2 Why
spend your money on something that is not real food? Why work for
something that doesn't really satisfy you? Listen closely to me, and you
will eat what is good; your soul will enjoy the rich food that
satisfies. 3 Come to me and listen; listen to me so you may live. I will
make an agreement with you that will last forever. I will give you
the blessings I promised to David.
The word "thirsty" is used throughout Scripture as a metaphor
for spiritual longing. [New Bible Companion] Man was created with an
inner longing for God that finds lasting satisfaction only in
fellowship with Him. The poetic beauty of this chapter is unsurpassed in
Scripture. No more gracious invitation could be given for men to accept the
blessings of salvation. [SDA Bible Commentary]
"Waters" and "wine and milk" are symbols of abundant spiritual
blessings. [Believer's SB]
The product here can not be purchased with money for money can't
buy it. Our salvation is priceless. What it cost God is beyond
comprehension and eternal in value. Salvation is a free gift of God for we
could never earn it due to its priceless value. So salvation is free,
but yet it costs us everything. To obtain it requires total
surrender and submission to God in all that we do. [SS Quarterly 6/6/04
mod]
Making big decisions usually takes a while. A person doesn't
typically get married, buy a house, or have a child on a whim. On the
other hand, some decisions can't wait. The opportunity is here today -
it may be gone tomorrow.
This reading contains an offer from God to take advantage of
now. So put it at the top of your list of things to do, and don't
delay. This is one offer that definitely doesn't get any better and
won't be around forever...
Isaiah told his people to call on the Lord while he is near
(Isaiah 55:6-7). He wanted them to respond to God while they still had
the chance, and not delay.
God doesn't make occasional appearances and then leave us,
but he also doesn't wait forever while we "think about" whether or
not we'll respond to him. Deliberately putting off the decision to
accept Christ as Savior tests God's patience.
Don't test God's patience or wait until you're "ready" to
call on him. Turning to him later in life may be far more difficult
than it is now. Or worse, you may die or Christ may return to judge
the earth before you decide to follow him. Therefore, seek God now,
while you can, before it is too late. Someday it will be. [The One
Year Through the Bible Devotional by Dave Veerman]
When it comes to jigsaw puzzles, we all know that to enjoy a
satisfying outcome you need all the pieces. In many ways, life is like
that. We spend our days putting it together, hoping to create a
complete picture out of all the scattered parts.
Yet sometimes it seems like a piece is missing. Perhaps we've
been pursuing the wrong pieces to the puzzle. Even though we may know
that life without God at the center is a life that has lost the most
important piece, do we live as though He isn't particularly relevant? And
even though we may attend church regularly, is He the throbbing
center of our lives? Sometimes we grow accustomed to feeling distant
from God. This makes it easier to sin, complicating the sense that
something important is missing.
But no matter how far we may drift from God, He wants us
near. He appealed to His people through the prophet Isaiah: "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" (Isa. 55:2).
If something is missing in your life, remember that God is
the only One who can fully and abundantly satisfy you. Let Him
complete the picture of your life. [Our Daily Bread]
Not long ago, God reminded me of the time he planted a
listening seed in my heart. Rummaging through a junk drawer, I came across
a gift - a small piece of cross-stitched art - that I had received
soon after this prodigal had returned home. A found treasure, the
yellowed cloth stitched in red held a precious promise open to all:
"God's voice still speaks to the listening heart."
After God opened my heart, I decided to accept his invitation
to "come to me" and spend quality time alone with him in prayer and
Bible study. He not only caused my soul to live, but he also gave me a
burning desire to share what this awesome living is all about. I eagerly
told family and friends that although this life is not without
trouble, there is a way to experience a life filled with genuine love,
strength, purpose, and more excitement than one could ever imagine. They
listened to me. And I to them.
One of the perks of the journey is sharing the road with
others who also desire to hear God's magnificent voice. We love, care
for, and encourage one another and are Jesus-with-skin-on for one
another. I am convinced that a listening heart possesses the key to soul
satisfaction, through good times and bad.
Susan M. Schulz, director of Listening Hearts Ministry, is a
Bible teacher, writer, wife, and mother of three. She lives in
Woodstock, Georgia. [The One Year Bible Live Verse Devotional re Isa.
55:3]
Come to Me and listen! Attune yourself to My voice, and
receive My richest blessings. Marvel at the wonder of communing with the
Creator of the universe while sitting in the comfort of your home. Kings
who reign on earth tend to make themselves inaccessible; ordinary
people almost never gain an audience with them. Even dignitaries must
plow through red tape and protocol in order to speak with royalty.
Though I am King of the universe, I am totally accessible to
you. I am with you wherever you are. Nothing can separate you from My
Presence! When I cried out from the cross, "It is finished!" the curtain
of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. This opened the
way for you to meet Me face to Face, with no need of protocol or
priests. I, the King of kings, am your constant Companion. (Isa. 50:4;
55:2, 3; John 19:30; Mat. 27:50, 51) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
CLOSING THOUGHTS
The God-shaped void within our heart
Cannot be filled by treasure;
It's only God who satisfies
In ways we cannot measure. Sper [Our Daily Bread]
There's a longing in every heart that only Jesus can satisfy. by
Joe Stowell [Our Daily Bread]
Only in Christ can men ever "have life" and "have it more
abundantly" (John 10:10). [SDA Commentary]
VIDEO CLIP ON THIS PASSAGE BY PASTOR SHAWN BOONSTRA:
Entertainment and Thrill-Seeking:
http://www.itiswritten.com/television/episodes/3203
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20041104-0910.html
LIVE PROPHECY CRUSADE: LANDMARKS OF PROPHECY:
YouTube Announcement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cMVPybuWHU
Program Schedule:
http://www.landmarksofprophecy.com/about-the-event/national-broadcast-information
RICHLY BLESSED MUSIC VIDEOS OF MERRILL WOMACH [awe-inspiring
voice and Spirit]
Happy Again [signature song]:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG_h1vM1cPs
He Restoreth My Soul [testimony]:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgLZlZYNtUY&index=4&list=PLF7C3CB8248F72ACE
One Hour of Merrill Womach Pt 1 of 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFB46rlu6KQ
One Hour of Merrill Womach Pt 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27g247B0qOM
