As I entered my kitchen this morning, I heard these words, “Come, buy and drink.” I made my way to the counter where my Keurig sits, awaiting me to prepare my coffee so I could drink. The wooing I was experiencing was not for the coffee; it was for me to open my Bible and find the scripture that I was hearing. God, in His patience, allowed me to pour my coffee first. He’s wonderful and meets us where we are at!

I found the passage and put on my listening ears. Are you thirsty? “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters,” (Isaiah 55:1a, NIV)

Are you struggling financially? “You who have no money, come, buy and eat.” (Isaiah 55:1b, NIV)

Are you needing nourished? “Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” (Isaiah 55:1b, NIV) The wine and milk are symbols of abundance, enjoyment and nourishment.

If we look at the progression of these scriptures, the author is saying, “Whatever situation you are in, just come!” When we come without needing money or not needing to pay, we are being offered something that is free. The free gift is eternal life that we received in Jesus when He died on the cross. “He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, NIV)

The prophet is calling us to come as we are and enjoy the free gift, but also to receive the abundant life. He says, “Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.” (Isaiah 55:2b, NIV)

He sounds like a parent when we talk with our kids and want our point to get across. Don’t we say, “Listen, listen to me?”

Whatever situation we are in, the Lord is saying, “Come—listen to me!” After he gets the readers’ attention, he remarks about the everlasting covenant we have with God! He says, “Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, My faithful love promised to David.” (Isaiah 55:3 NIV)

The wooing continues, “Seek the Lord while He may be found.” (Isaiah 55:6, NIV)

What are we seeking? Are we seeking the Lord or what He can give us? There is a difference!

We often quote “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV) Then we stop there! We forget that this is HOW He wants to come and seek Him:

“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity.” (Jeremiah 29:12-14, NIV)

Even when we don’t know what’s going on in our life, come and seek Him!

Even if we don’t understand the delay, or the sickness, or the circumstances, come and seek Him!

“For His thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are His ways our ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV)

After God gets us to think who He is, then He uses the natural things of the earth to help us understand. He says: “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my Word that goes out form My mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11, NIV)

The End Result

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12, NIV)

You are going to do a happy dance and all of creation will join you!

No Longer Where You Used To Live

“Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed.” (Isaiah 55:13, NIV)

All this restoration occurs only by accepting an invitation! It’s an invitation to come to Him and seek NOT His hand but seek Him! When we seek Him, He releases what’s in His hand, since it’s part of Him and part of His giving nature! When we come to Him broken, he mends us back up. When we come to Him lonely, He becomes our best friend. When we come to Him just as we are, He still is saying, “Come to me, all who are weary and heavily burdened (by religious rituals that provide no peace), and I will give you rest (refreshing your souls with salvation). Take My yoke upon you and earn from Me (following Me as My disciple), for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is easy (to bear) and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, AMP)

It’s no longer where we used to live. It’s time to live, heavenly live! For “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20, NKJV)

Love Living,
Mary Beth Pecora