Todays readings.. 1 Samuel 11&12, Isaiah 55, Revelation 19&20
“COME, EVERYONE WHO THIRSTS”
This is how our 55th chapter in Isaiah starts. Of course it is not about physical thirst – but the thirst our minds need to have for eternal things – and these are beyond wonder! If we fully grasp them, this is spiritual food! It is an invitation – “”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.”
The 2nd verse is equally interesting – and challenging! It asks, “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which does not satisfy?” That is – to satisfy our minds, opening them up to an eternal vision! If we are just living for the day or the week – or the month – life is not genuinely satisfying.
The 3rd verse invites us to “Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live …” If we do not do this we will not “live” – that is, live eternally; but we need to respond with all our heart to this invitation. If we do, says the LORD, “I will make with you an everlasting covenant …” just as he made with David. Jesus is referred to as the “Son of David” 16 times in the gospels. Those who become brothers or sisters of Christ also share in this “everlasting covenant.”
Verses 6 & 7 jump out and into our minds (if our “hearts” are listening!) “”Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”
Few hearts are listening today, they think they have learnt every possible thing there is – that is important or of interest to them. But look at the friction nearly everywhere in the world! Nearly all hearts are listening, or eyes absorbing the wrong things – godless things!
Look at what the LORD “declares” in v.8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” But we can be conscious of God’s ways and thoughts, look at v.11! “My word … that goes out from my mouth … shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose …”
The “purpose” will be accomplished by the return of God’s Son to the earth – and then “you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace” [v.12]
For “everyone who thirsts” – these words quench their thirst, and rid them of all sense of emptiness in their minds as to the eternal meaning of life – they open up a vision of their future when they “Come” to their Creator and his Son and “quench their thirst.” They come to Jesus, who told those who would listen and understand, “For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.”[John 6 v.55] They do not thirst! Do you?
