Come, Buy, Eat!

Come, Buy, Eat!

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Isaiah 55:1‭-‬2 KJV

The first step in getting help is to admit that there is a problem. A man who does not know that he needs help will always spurn that help. So, today's extract starts with a call and a universal offer to all men: Ho, every one who thirsts. It does not discriminate between colour, creed, race and gender. It is an offer to all born of women, and open to all who will come. 

And you must know and admit what the problem is. You cannot take medicine for pain relief if the problem is a viral infection. The solution must match the problem. For all who admit their thirst and know that they need help, today's extract goes on to prescribe exactly what is needed to address the identified problem. 

And the solution is always fit and sufficient for the problem. God offers the waters, abundant waters, enough for all who thirst and come. No demand on earth can exhaust the resources of heaven, so if all the earth's inhabitants come to God, there is enough to go round and more. 

Even with no money, I am asked to come, buy and eat. There must be something other than actual money that pays the cost of my coming to God. This is not something that my fat bank account can pay for, or the wealth of my connections or circle of influence. This is not what all the world's goods can pay for, so I can't claim the waters by virtue of anything the world has or offers. All I am asked to do is COME. 

The currency of getting all that God offers will be faith and works coming together as a single concept. It is faith in God's ability to solve a problem that leads to me taking the step of coming to Him. Men of the world have tried so many other options, including stealth, outright deceit and manipulation, yet there is a void in the heart that nothing else can occupy except God. Until God comes in and fills it, the heart will keep wandering, lost and alone. 

And that is emphasised in today's extract. Men have laboured yet have nothing to show for it. Men have killed and maimed, yet do not have anything close to the peace only God can give. Men have spent their lives thinking that being educated is enough. It is good, but it is nowhere near enough. The secret is in listening to what God offers here, and taking Him up on His promises. 

When I respond, I get all that is promised. When I reject, I cannot turn around and blame God for the consequences of my action. God does not leave me ignorant of what I stand to gain by coming to Him: I get to eat that which is good; my soul will delight in fatness. What could be more important than being settled both inside and outside? My flesh on the outside reflects a life that is taken care of by God and my soul enjoys inner peace and joy, which flow on to eternal life. 

It was never meant to be good only for this present life, but for all of life. I was not created to exist for a short time, but to reign with God in eternity. No matter what God gives me down here, they are not replacements for all that God wants me to have. So, I ask God again to show me what I really need for this life He has given me; nothing more, nothing less. I come to God and take all He gives, because only by these things will i llI survive all that the world will throw at me. Forget all the world's measures and tricks; only that which God gives truly satisfies to the end and guarantees eternal life. Don't settle for anything less than that which secures true life. His time of favour is here.