Isaiah 55:1-5 (NRSV)
Read Isaiah 55:1-5 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 55Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Verse 2Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Verse 3Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. Verse 4See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. Verse 5See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.
Devotion
The simple fact that we are reading these verses from second Isaiah means that the Lord has kept his promise in verse 5. Nations that did not know ancient Israel are now running to her. These words were addressed to the Israelites, not to Gentiles such as us, but we Gentiles come running to them because we know that the words point to Christ and that Christ has grafted us into these promises. Like impoverished peasants with no land rights of our own, we grab hold of the Old Testament tree and shake until the fruit falls. And what fruit! The Lord promises water, wine and milk, and not only does he supply these daily needs, but he grants us forgiveness, which gives everlasting satisfaction. Bach, Schütz, and Handel—composers whom the church commemorates today—are among the Gentiles who came running to these promises and found fruit worth singing about.
Prayer
O Lord our God, we are thirsty and we could never purchase your gifts. Thank you for your kindness. Keep our ears open, so that we may listen to you and live. In Christ’s name, Amen