In many places around the world inflation has increased, and the cost of food and drink has become much more expensive in the last several years. So, if you heard that there was someone giving away free food, and good quality food too, wouldn’t you go and take advantage of this opportunity? Why pay many dollars for meat or bread when you could get even better quality for nothing? Yet there are people, for whatever reason, who will do just that, and not just for physical food, but even for the much more important spiritual food. In our Scripture for today we read of both an invitation and a warning that God has given to us through His prophet Isaiah. Let’s take a look, and see if we have been ignoring that invitation and the warning from God.
Isaiah 55 follows the great Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 53. The Servant has suffered, died, and risen as seen in chapter 53. Now the blessings purchased by the Servant are offered to all, as we read in today’s chapter. We also see here that God offers salvation freely, but only on His terms, which include repentance, seeking Him while He may be found, and submitting to His Word, which never fails to accomplish His purpose.
As our Scripture opens, we read of the free offer of salvation that God has given (vs. 1-3). This is a universal invitation, to everyone who thirsts. God calls all who recognize their spiritual need to come to Him. Salvation is given freely. It cannot be earned, as it is received by faith. People are continually running after and spending money on that which is not genuine “bread”, pursuing satisfaction from the world, when instead they can find real satisfaction and spiritual nourishment through Jesus. God has given us the solution to spiritual hunger, and that comes through hearing and obeying His Word. Salvation is free, but it is exclusive. It only comes through God’s appointed Messiah.
Continuing in our Scripture we read of the Messiah and His global mission (vs. 4-5). God speaks of the Messiah here as being a witness to the people, a leader and commander, and One who will draw nations to Him that did not know Him. Jesus Christ is the authoritative leader, not one option out of many. Through Him, the Gospel would reach Gentile nations, fulfilling God’s plan for worldwide salvation. Jesus is not merely a moral teacher, He is God’s appointed ruler, and all nations will answer to Him.
Isaiah continues by giving us God’s urgent call to repentance (vs. 6-7). There is a sense of urgency here, as there is a limited window of opportunity. Salvation will not always be available, as judgment will come. The window of opportunity will one day close. In accepting God’s salvation, we must have repentance. The wicked must “forsake his way”, and the unrighteous man “his thoughts”. When we respond, God will have mercy. He will abundantly pardon. God’s forgiveness is lavish and complete. However, repentance is not optional. Too many preachers today think that talk of sin and repentance is not necessary. They teach that God loves us just the way we are, and we don’t need to change. The Bible clearly states that we must turn from sin and turn towards God. No one is saved without forsaking their own sinful ways and thoughts.
Many people want things according to their way of thinking, and this includes how they think God and salvation should operate. They think their way of thinking is correct, and that God and His Word are not logical. They want things to be “fair” according to their way of thinking. However, that is not the way it is. God’s ways are higher, holier, and wiser than human reasoning (vs. 8-9). Human philosophy, psychology, or whatever the current cultural trends are cannot define truth. Only God’s Word reveals His ways.
Next, Isaiah proclaims the power of God’s Word (vs. 10-11). God’s Word is effective, unstoppable, and always fruitful. Just as rain produces growth, God’s Word produces spiritual life. God pours the rain all throughout the world, and in like manner He has also poured out His Word throughout the world, as well. Isaiah speaks of the inerrancy and sufficiency of the Bible. God’s Word will accomplish exactly what He intends, never failing and never erring. His promises never fail, His commands are perfect, and God’s purposes will always succeed.
Our Scripture ends with seeing the joyful transformation that God will bring (vs. 12-13). There is joy and peace for the redeemed of God, along with all of creation responding to His salvation. God will bring a reversal of the curse, where instead of thorns we have fir trees, and instead of briers we have myrtle trees. Salvation brings an inner transformation in those who have accepted Jesus, and He will also bring a future restoration to all of creation. This will happen in the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus. Are you ready? Have you accepted God’s free offer of salvation personally for yourself? Come to Him today while the offer is still open!
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