June 23: Isaiah 55
Deuteronomy 28:20–68; Psalm 119:25–48; Isaiah 55; Matthew 3
Having said that the Servant’s offspring will possess the nations (54:3), God now calls the nations to His rich banquet feast (1-2). All those who respond He will envelope in two unbreakable covenants. The first is the covenant of “no condemnation,” given at the time of Noah (54:9-10; cf. Romans 8:1). The second is the covenant of “absolute favor,” given to David (55:3). Unending forgiveness and love; unbreakable mercy and grace.
Thus God calls all to seek His table (6). The question is not whether God will do it; not whether this forgiveness and love exists; not whether this mercy and grace are there for the taking. God has promised it, and His word will follow through and accomplish all that He purposes (8-11).
The question is whether or not you and those around you respond to the call. The response God wants is faith (6) - a calling upon God and a dependence upon God - and repentance (7) - a leaving behind one’s own thoughts and ways. We relinquish ourselves to God, and God gives us back to ourselves, only now made new. We come to God in need and mourning; we go out in joy (12) and strength (13). Where there were the thorns and futility of sin, there will instead be life and fruit and joy (13).
Why waste your life buying the things you will most certainly lose, while neglecting that which you can have without price, and never lose?