The Lord gives us an invitation in Isaiah 55 to abundant life, and He tells us how we can have it.
“Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters;
And you who have no money,
Come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
3 Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live;
And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—
The sure mercies of David. Isaiah 55:1-3
because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. Revelation 3:17-18
Isaiah 55 is a contrast to Revelation 3. In Isaiah 55, God tells the nation of Israel to come and buy and eat food and water that truly satisfies. This food and water money cannot buy. In Revelation 3:17-18 Jesus tells the church of Laodicea that they think they are rich, but they have nothing. Instead they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.
There is no wealth in the world that can buy us salvation and true satisfaction in life. However, people continue to try to use external means to reach and achieve what can only obtained by living a surrendered life to Jesus.
Actually, the above passages were both directed to the people of God. They were not written for the world. Somewhere after meeting the Lord and seeing their faithfulness in their lives, the people of God gravitate back to worldly priorities and meeting their own needs in a carnal manner.
The more you allow carnality in the church, the more it begets carnality in the people of God. If the church is influenced by the world rather than being the influencer, sooner or later, the culture of the church will become carnal. If the leaders are looking for positions, fame, and success by climbing some spiritual ladder, then why should we expect anything different from an average believer!? Money, wealth, education, prestige, and titles seem as important to some Christians as to the people in the world! This is what Jesus speaking to the church in Laodicea.
The above passage in Isaiah tells us that when we seek spiritual food and drink, our soul will delight in abundance. We don’t have to have scarcity mentality and worry about who gets to teach, preach, prophesy, or lead worship. We also don’t worry about what our coworkers do or don’t do. This is not always easy, but we need to remind ourselves that we have food and drink, which are inexhaustible in God’s economy. The Lord graciously will give us what we need if we ask Him for it. Furthermore, the Lord wants to clothe us with white garments and anoint our eyes, so we may see the world through His eyes!
What are you hungry and thirsty for? What are your ambitions? Is that what the Lord desires for you?
Lord help us to be hungry and thirsty for what you desire to give us. Change our value system and make it like yours. We want your garments of righteousness instead of trying to establish our own righteousness.
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