1-6-2022

       Good Morning All,

Isaiah 55:1; “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”

     Oh to be invited to a party! We all love parties. We love the atmosphere, we love the conversations, we love the people, and we especially love the food. We usually enjoy the food the most because we did not, buy it, cook it, or have anything to do with it but eat it.

     Despite what we may think, Americans did not invent the party. Parties go back as far as mankind does.  Our parties and festivities pale in comparison. Often times parties would last days at a time with the host even providing sleeping quarters and a change of clothes for the guests.  Wedding parties could last up to a week. So, when the Bible makes references to parties or celebrations, the original reader had a greater understanding than we may.

    This verse is the start of a chapter where we hear of God’s great mercy. Here we hear how he is restoring Israel to its place of honor. In the previous chapter we read of the covenant of peace; here we see the fruits of that peace. God invites us to come; come to the celebration. This wondrous celebration will be a daily occurrence when we live in the Lord’s Presence. If we are thirsty, we will come to the waters; even if we have no money, we can buy food and drink and not just any food and drink but the really good stuff.  We will not have to pay because it will already be bought.

    This verse can actually be read God inviting us to hear His Word of redemption; the forgiveness of sins which frees us from the terror of the devil.  He compares us to those who thirst for the word who seek to hear the truth that they are thirsting after it. They are longing for a little good news and God gives them a lot of good news. The hearing of this good news is free, and we are to come and savor it, we are to luxuriate in it. The good news of your salvation is the greatest celebration that you can ever have, and you receive it freely.

      Just like the finest wines and meats are very expensive so was the cost of your salvation. Yet someone else paid for it and someone else gave it to you so you can enjoy it, so you can have the benefit of it. So, we see that our salvation and the news of our salvation and the hearing of the news of our salvation are like a party that lasts forever.

      We no longer need to worry about struggles and the trials of this world. These are dealt with by our Lord. These trials can never defeat us. God stands triumphant over any and all things that the world and the devil can throw at us.  We have reason to celebrate and to enjoy the wonderful news of our salvation of our hope. God invites us to enjoy and to celebrate this wonderful joyous event. Come and drink buy with no money the finest wines and milk. Savor the honey and the meats. Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Dear Father, You feed us with the finest foods and drinks. You bless us with your Spirit but above all we have the gift of salvation from your gracious hand.  For this we give you our praise and thanksgiving. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret