Isaiah 55: An Invitation to Grace
Saturday, June 8, 2019
All you who are thirsty, come to the waters . . .
We are told in the story of the Revelation (7:16) that those who thirst will find true water which quenches forever.
I will renew you with the everlasting covenant . . .
We are told by the prophets Jeremiah (23:4) and Ezekiel (34:16) that the true Shepherd has promised to bring all of his sheep home from all the places to which the false shepherds have scattered them so that none of them shall be missing.
Seek the Lord while he may be found, call him while he is near . . .
We are told in the Gospels to knock, ask, and seek (Matthew 7:7, Luke 11:9) while the bridegroom lives among us (Matthew 9:15, Mark 2:19, Luke 5:34, John 3:29).
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord . . .
We are told in the first letter to the Corinthians (13:1) that our childish ways are not the childlike ways in which God asks us to walk; and in Ephesians (2:2) that the ways of the world are not God’s ways.
For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.
We are told in Ezekiel (37:27) that God will dwell among his people; and we are told by Jesus in the Gospel of John (10:34-38) that he was sent among us to call his faithful home, and that these faithful live in him just as he lives in the father.
Yes, in joy you shall depart, in peace you shall be brought back . . .
We are told in Jeremiah (29:11) and throughout the Psalms, but especially in 126, that God has plans in mind for us which are plans for joy rather than sorrow.
This shall be the Lord’s renown, an everlasting imperishable sign . . .
We are told in the Gospel of John (4:10) that God offers us the gift of everlasting life, of true water which quenches forever.
All of scripture is Christ, is God’s word to us, God’s expression of love to us. And all of this scripture cries out to us that we are invited to the feast of the bridegroom as the beloved bride. In the album Speechless by Steven Curtis Chapman there is a song entitled The Invitation which tells us all we need to hear about the love the father holds for us. It reminds us that we are bride to a constant, faithful, ardent lover, the true prince of peace who leaves nothing lacking, who will not rest until he holds us closely. This is our invitation to blessing. This is our invitation to beatitude. This is our invitation to grace. This is our invitation to love.
A re-post from May 25, 2012.
Images from: http://www.parisianevents.com/parisianparty/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding-in-france/ and http://matttullos.com/grace-is-on-a-family-tree/
To listen to Steven Curtis Chapman sing “The Invitation” click here.
The Noontimes 