Isaiah 55

Isaiah 55:7-8 NIV

Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord , and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the Lord .

This chapter contains a free invitation and a promise of both broad influence and great blessing all grounded in the truth that God's ways are not our ways. The invitation is free. If you recognize your thirst, hunger and poverty you are invited to come drink freely. There are no hidden user fees, and no taxes and penalties. The invitation is to come and drink freely. The tab has been picked up by God himself. This is the good news we have to offer the world.

The broad influence promised is the influence of that good news. People from every corner of the earth will come to drink of this free water. The great blessing is the fulfilling of God's kingdom that we anticipate. We deserve neither the influence nor the blessing. They are a part of the free invitation and grounded in the amazing truth that God's ways are not our ways. His word will accomplish what he desires and no one can thwart it.

Do we have an enemy? Yes, but God's word is more powerful. The invitation has gone out. God's word will do it's work. God's plan is nothing like how we would do things, but he will accomplish his purpose and we have the privilege of being a part of it.

Father, thank you for your word and your promise. Open the eyes of those around under me to recognize their own spiritual thirst. May I have the privilege of passing out the invitations to come and drink of your free water to those who come.

By His grace,
Rick Weinert