Will You Come to the Lord Today?

August 11, 2023

By Brooke Holt

"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." Isaiah 55:1-3a

Are you hungry? Thirsty? Are you discouraged, sick, weak, brokenhearted, anxious, or lonely? If so, the Lord summons you to come to him! Feel the depth of your need and hurt; then bring it all before the throne of the Lord.

The Lord invites you to come to him to fulfill your deepest thirst and your deepest hunger. Come humbly. Come expectantly. Come just as you are, though you have nothing to give and everything to gain. Why would you come in such a way? Because the heart of the Father is to provide for your needs and to bless you through his presence and goodness. Your heavenly Father stands ready to receive you, to comfort you, and to provide for your every need.

Following this divine invitation comes pointed questions: “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” (v. 2) The Father’s heart is to draw you close to him that he may provide for you, comfort you, love you, and guide you. Sadly, many times you resist his invitation to come, and you scramble to find your own provision, answers, and satisfaction. You settle for imitations of God’s goodness.

Those imitations can look like busyness, materialism, perfectionism, relationships, or performance. Anything you do that seeks to satisfy your needs outside of the Lord is that imitation, also known as idolatry.

Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord calls you to consider where you seek to fulfill your deepest needs. In his steadfast and patient love, the Lord reminds you that his invitation stands, even if you have looked everywhere else but to him.

In him, you will find water that quenches your deepest thirst. In him, you will find provision for your needs. In him, you will find nourishment for your spirit. In him, you will find life abundant. He stands there ready to receive you – arms open wide – and a treasury at his disposal. Is it time to stop making the trip to the broken cisterns and come to the Lord who created you, knows you, loves you, and stands ready to care for your every need?

Reflection:

Will you stop looking to the things and people of this world to meet your deepest needs then bring those things directly to the throne of God? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Recommended Resource:

Our honest prayer before God is evidence that we understand the ways He loves, cherishes, sees, and hears us. Through prayer, we can acknowledge with Hagar, “You are the living One who sees me” (Genesis 16:14). When we pray, we are affirming the same. Why do we often hide from this privilege? Why do we avoid God, the One who sees us as we are and stands ready to provide and answer us in his holy, timely way? In this 8-week study on the prayers of Job, Ruth, Hannah, and David, grow your prayer life by facing your honest need and bringing your whole self before God. Acknowledging God as the One who guides your path can change your heart. It can take you past fear and into faith, strength, and hope. Learn more about Honest Prayer.