Such a deal

Such a deal

Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost. – Isaiah 55:1

Isaiah 55:1-6

 1 “Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink – even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk – it’s all free!

 2 Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food.

 3 “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.

 6 Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.

For over 70 years, the then high-rise Church of the Open Door, stood in downtown Los Angeles, California, at 550 S. Hope St. Atop this substantial building were three-story-tall signs that read JESUS SAVES. Below the massive signs were much smaller signs which simply read Free Food.

People came to the church building for the Free Food.

Sometimes the word of God makes statements in the way that are intended to make us think. And so, it is with Isaiah 55:1. It is intentionally provocative. People who have no money are to come, buy and eat. Isaiah repeats himself, come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

How can you buy something that is free? The simple answer is you can’t. The more complicated answer is that somebody must pay for it, it’s just not you!

Two primary needs for survival are food and drink. What price would we be willing to pay if we were in desperate need of them? On the other hand, if we were offered free food and drink, would we take it? The answer is some would and some would not.

The Father has provided all children of the King something so costly, that they could never afford it. He Himself already paid for it. And now He offers it for free. The point is that the food and drink are free. The Father has provided them in abundance. They are ready for the taking. To receive them, all that is required is an open hand. Such a deal.

Hunger and thirst are physical realities we all experience. Similarly, spiritual hunger and thirst are also realities. They are deep longings within that are often never satisfied. That is what the Father is addressing through Isaiah. The Father has made provision for the deepest longings of our hearts, our spiritual hunger and thirst have already been made available. All expenses have been paid for in full. But it is totally free to anyone who wants it. I need only take it.

REFLECT & PRAY

Hunger and thirst are not A problem but an opportunity.

Father I recognize my deep inward spiritual hunger and thirst. I am confident that You have provided for me. Encourage me to find the nourishment and satisfaction that You have made available. Thank You that the cost is been paid in full.

INSIGHT

John 6:35 Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.

John 7:37-39

 37 Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.”

 38 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

 39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

We are invited to receive what we desperately need yet cannot earn or afford.

Yet the Father’s magnificent and abundant provision comes with both urgency and irony.

Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.

Since the Father’s offer, He is free to withdraw it. Therefore, we should not be reckless and delay. The offer is always for TODAY, never TOMORROW. When the Father’s offer is made, it is foolish to reject it. The opportunity may be canceled at any moment.

Hebrews 4:7 So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. . . “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.”

To obey the Father is to bless yourself; to disobey Him is to curse yourself (Stanley).

Why would somebody turn down a free gift? The answer is observed in the history of the Exodus generation that left Egyptian bondage under the leadership of Moses. When they arrived at the promised land, it was free for the taking. But they refused it. They hardened their hearts against the free gift that the Father offered them. They did not get a second chance. Rather they returned to the wilderness and wandered around until they all died. Joshua and Caleb survived. They alone returned to the promised land. They went in and took possession of the free gift that had been offered to them 40 years earlier.

It’s easy to say, “If it were me, I wouldn’t have hardened my heart!” Really? Don’t be too hasty to judge that stubborn and defiant generation. How often do you refuse to follow the Father’s instructions? Do you not harden your heart?

Hebrews 3:12-13

 12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.

 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.

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