Isaiah 55 -- The Compassion of the LORD
1-3 "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. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.
4-5 Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.
6-9 "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. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10-11 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
12-13 "For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."

Some thoughts:
"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters...he who has no money, come, buy and eat...buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?" (1)

The invitation is to all; no one is beyond need of this satisfying food and drink. One of the greatest struggles for anyone--and especially one who is successful and not "in need"--is to know his/her need; to be aware of the thirst and hunger that will never be satisfied by the stuff of earth. And to think that God offers what we need at his cost and supply!

"Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David." (2)

God desires to lavish these gifts upon us, that we may be restored in fellowship with God even in part on earth. Chasing the food and satisfaction of things of this world brings death, whereas coming to Christ brings life. And this is based on God's covenant with us, promises he keeps according to his mercy, grace and power; Promises that are not according to anything I've mustered or accomplished but instead purchased by the life, death and resurrection of Christ.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD....For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (9-11)

This is great news! By faith we can know God's goodness and mercy, having hope in all things. My motivations are always tainted, and often return empty or at least short of the goal. How great that God intends good and restoration AND he delivers accordingly! Many have been wounded by individuals, by the church, by leaders, by family; their trust is lacking and cynicism likely high. And based on experience, why not? But the beauty of faith in the Gospel is that Christians can move through and beyond hurt and trials by relying continuously on God's objective promises. He is faithful even in our faithlessness. And his promises are backed with the blood and atonement of Christ, which leaves little question of God's intention or plan. His promises are meant for freedom!

"For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." (12-13)

The images are of beauty in the desert, of life coming into places where hardness and death are persistent. This is possible according to God's promises and through his Spirit. Yet the beauty and " life" do not exist for themselves; Instead they give signposts for all to see of God's faithfulness and providence. The fruit is present to remind us that God IS who he claims to be and will deliver on future promises just as he's been faithful in the past and present.

The responses of the human heart are beautiful as well: joy and peace. These are specifically chosen and go far beyond happiness and a lack of conflict. Joy and peace are deep-seated and honor every person involved, freely entering into any situation honestly with the hope of the Gospel. And this hope does not disappoint, as we see over and over throughout history and God's word. In this we--the thirsty and the hungry--find wine and milk, as well as rest, as it only comes through Christ and the Spirit.