Isaiah 55:1-3 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live.
Isaiah 55:1-13 is a message for everyone, regardless of age, education, religion, gender race or political affiliation. If you are human, and you would not be reading this if you aren’t, then it’s a message for you.
The not too distant past and especially last year people have become increasingly depressed, frustrated and looking for something that will bring personal and lasting satisfaction. We all come into this world with a need, a deficit or longing that cries to be satisfied. This is especially true for hurting people of which there is no shortage.
Isaiah begins by asking the question, is anyone thirsty? Israel often spent time in dry places especially in her 40-year desert wandering. Who doesn’t become thirsty? It doesn’t take long working hard on a hot dry day to become parched, so we reach for that cold bottle of water to quench our thirst.
The flip side to this is that we are all spiritually thirsty, without exception. Like physical thirst we also try to satisfy our spiritual thirst with what we believe will satisfy or what others tell us will quench our thirst.
What would happen if you drank salt water to quench your thirst? It looks pure, it’s cold and wet and so you chug it down. Will it satisfy? No! It will exacerbate your thirst. Not all liquids will satisfy, in fact some will kill you.
Sad however, that many people drink spiritual salt water or “cool-aid” to satisfy their thirst for God, meaning, purpose and peace. That ‘salt’ water can range from drugs to yoga, Eastern religion to legalism. None of those will satisfy, in fact some may end in death.
Isaiah holds out the God of all creation to come to and freely receive His gifts of grace, forgiveness, love and mercy that alone can satisfy 100% of the time. (More next week).
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Today 3:00 confirmation.
Thursday 22, 10:00 quilting day.
Sunday 11, 9:00 Morning worship.
Sermon: Love not Hate.
10:15 Sunday school for all ages.