Scripture Reading: Isaiah 54:1-17, Isaiah 55:1-13, Hosea 14:1-3, Matthew 7:7-12
In consideration of the title for today’s reading, “Come to the Lord,” I’m prompted to ask, why would someone do that?
Isaiah 55 invites us all in with a clear and urgent call: Are you thirsty? Come to the water He offers. Are you broke? Come and eat anyway because the bill is on the house. In Scripture, God does not declare this blessing for the righteous and that consequence for the unrighteous. Here, the prophet said “everyone.” That’s the good and the bad, the worthy and unworthy, people who lived long ago and everyone who has yet to be born. Isaiah strengthened this metaphor by saying that it doesn’t make sense to spend and gorge on things that won’t satisfy (Isaiah 55:2). He remembered the covenant that God made to His people and begged his listeners to “seek the LORD while he may be found; [and] call to him while he is near” (v. 6).
Mountains will move and the hills will shake, but Isaiah says that God’s love won’t be removed. His promise of compassion and forgiveness—His peace—won’t crumble. Convinced? For these reasons and more we would come to the Lord.
We would come because of God’s promise of restoration and renewal.
We would come because of perfect protection and security
We would come because of peace.
We would come because of bestowed righteousness.
We would come because of forgiveness, redemption, wisdom, guidance.
Passages from Hosea reinforce this call to return to the Lord, emphasizing repentance with the promise of healing and renewal. And in Matthew 7:7–12, Jesus taught us to persist in seeking God, assuring us that God will respond to us with His goodness. I see, across all of these passages, the consistent message that God is eager to restore us. God alone has the wisdom that He provides to His people for holy living—and He provides the means for us to live according to His wisdom!
Lent is such a good season to assess, practice, and realign our devotion to God. We fast, pray, show generosity, and prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate a risen Savior. I can relate to the eighteenth century hymn, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” I’m prone to wander, as it seems many of us are.
Instead of shame or fear, can we believe in our hearts that God’s invitation is good and His promises true?
Written by Canaan Chapman
Leave a Reply
88 thoughts on "Come to the Lord"
❤✝️
So very true. AMEN
❤️
God’s word never returns void but always accomplishes what it set out to do. Lord, would your word do a work in each of us that we need to hear. Let our hearts be fertile soil for your word to take root. We come back to you today Father!
❤️
Amen!!
Amen!
♥️
This reading has me wrecked because it’s so easy to be hyper-independent and think you can rely on your own efforts in this world we live in. When really Gods ways are higher than our ways, and his thoughts are higher than any thoughts we could have had for ourselves. It’s humbling to know that we can come to God when we thirst and to drink from living waters.
✝️
❤️
“No weapon formed against you will succeed, and you will refute any accusation raised against you in court.” (Isaiah 54:17) This beautiful verse reminds me that even though it seems that my ex got away with lying under oath in court to get alimony from me and to make his family believe that I abandoned him, God knows everything he did and every lie he told, and he will give me justice in the end, even if it’s not in this life. But even on this side of heaven, when I was walking away from the courthouse, at the lowest point of my life, completely unable to comprehend how my ex could betray me so cruelly just for money—clearly the only thing he ever wanted from me—I recalled that a total stranger, an attorney whose case was to come up after mine and so he had to sit through the whole thing and miss his trial entirely that day, spoke healing words of encouragement to me. I knew I’d been seen, and that my ex’s con-artist act of deception was obvious to everyone else in the room who had any sense of decency. As I was reading this passage last night and remembering the attorney’s kind words, I realized that this man was a gift of encouragement sent to me by God…if indeed he was a mere man.
❤️
I’m so thankful that God wants to restore me and remake me.
Happy Friday shes. I just love the different tone in our devotional today. Praise God. A few things stood out to me today:
***
1. “Behold, I have created the smith, who blows the fire of coals, and produces a weapon for its purpose, I have also created the ravager to destroy; no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed…” (Isaiah 54:16-17). I usually hear the later part of these verses quote, but not the part that God made a ravager (a person that causes damage) on our behalf. This is a deadly weapon from the hand of God for us. He is the mighty man of war. We are not alone.
***
2. “In you the orphan finds mercy” (Hosea 14:3 ESV), “fear not, for you will not be ashamed,.., for you will forget the shame of your youth” (Isaiah 54:4). I pray the shackle of shame from being abandoned, being unworthy of love for the generation of orphans in our society, of foster children, of abandoned and estranged grown ups who still nurture and heal the lost child from within. May the relationship be fostered with God on the basis of mercy and unconditional love, to have abundant provision of meat, water, living bread that costs no money through Jesus who is the bread of life.
***
3. Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good (Isaiah 55:2): this is a big revelation for me. I never noticed before how in this verse God compares listening to eating. Be careful what we listen to, as it’s what we eat and shall digest. Lord give us grace to hear and tune in to what’s worthy, what’s true, what’s right and pure and lovely, and admirable, help us to dwell on those things to eat and be nourished. Help us to abandon negative thoughts that are roots to negative actions and behaviors and results.
***
MIA FAITH: thinking, praying over you, your loved ones ❤️
ALEIDA: for Victor.
SHARON JG: for Jonathan.
TRACI: for this Saturday.
FOSTER MAMA: strength and mercies, unity and hope.
LAUREN GARZA: hope you had a beautiful wedding ❤️
.
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return void but water the earth to bring forth and sprout, so shall God’s word not return to Him empty, but it shall accomplish that which He has purposed, and shall succeed in the thing for which He sent it, in each and everyone’s life. For you shall go out in joy, and be led forth in peace. Amen and amen. Be blessed dear sisters.
Dear Shes
“Why do you spend silver on what is not food, and your wages on what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good
and you will enjoy the choicest of foods.
Pay attention and come to me;
listen, so that you will live”.
Chp 55: v. 2-3
These verses spoke to me this morning.
As my spiritual discipline is to “get into the Word every morning before I let the world get into me”. To give thanks when I rise from my bed.
I strive to enter into His good things (forgiveness, wisdom, guidance) & not the incessant demands of outside influences which harm more than help.
It is He who fulfills the longing soul
& feeds the hungry heart.
I pray always to lean into that truth.
Amen & Amen
Amen and Amen
Thank you all for your beautiful insights! Rhonda, thanks for reminding me of these older songs! What a blessing!
How could I resist when the Lord called me? And even now when I read these scriptures, it is like a love letter to me! The Bible is just that-a love letter to all who will sit and listen! This makes me think of an old song, Oh, how He Loves you and me.
Oh, how He loves you and me, Oh how He loves you and me. He gave his life, what more could he give?
Oh, how He loves you; Oh, how he loves me; Oh, how he loves you and me.
Jesus to Calvary did go, His love for sinners to show. What He did there brought hope from despair.
Oh, how He loves you; Oh, how he loves me; Oh, how he loves you and me.
I pray we all receive a greater sense of the depth of His love for us!
Praying for all!
You’re welcome miss Cheyrl! I wish they would pop some old hymns in at my church! Especially “The Old Rugged Cross” here at Easter! Or “Blessed Assurance” (my madre’s favorite we played at her funeral)!
I don’t know if I know the one you shared, I will look it up!
❤️
This is great!
As an aside, does anyone with they had a built-in immersive reader, so they could listen to the scripture?
Yes or even a recording of them reading it. Either way I am blessed by it!
The website does not, not sure about the features on the app.
Nicholle, I agree! I have thought this same thing!
God’s invitation is good and His promises are true. So why then does the world reject Him?
.
God has nothing but goodness and blessing to all who will turn to Him. Everyone is invited – no one is excluded, yet not everyone will come or even give ear to the call. He gives promises of prosperity, peace and protection – yet, still, they do not come.
.
If the lost only would see what they are missing, what they are saying no to! God is so patient, God is so good, compassionate, kind, forgiving. He does not want anyone to be forever lost. His desire is that all come to Him. 2 Peter 3:9
.
I am forever grateful that God called me, saved me, sanctified me. It was nothing that I did, I simply answered His call. All glory and praise to Him – our Maker, Lord Almighty, Holy One, Redeemer! (Isaiah 54:5)
.
Father God, please work in the hearts of the lost. Call them to salvation, open their ears, open their hearts to You. Save them, just as You saved me. Work mightily to draw them to You, to turn them from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to You. In Jesus Name.
—
Asking prayer for my son Jonathan – he has reached out to his landlord and is asking for a meeting to explain his situation. Please pray that God will answer in Jonathan’s favor and that He will soften the heart of the landlord.
—
Praise the Lord for Fridays! Have a great day sisters, and an even better weekend.❤️
Praying for favor for Johnathan
with his landlord and
continued grace and blessing as he goes forward!
Praying for Jonathan and favor!
Partying for favor for Jonathan. Like King Hezekiah who laid the papers before the Lord, we lay Jonathan’s lease before you Lord. Do what only you can do!
Praying for special favors on Jonathan, that the Lord will use this situation for good and to draw him closer.
I’m with Tina. Why wouldn’t I run into God’s arms. He is everything. Gives us everything. Peace, hope, comfort. This list goes on and on.
❤️
Our passages today are just so welcoming and remind us why we come and the devotional is so beautiful written. As he stated there are different reasons at different times we are drawing to the Lord, but really, it all comes down to, I JUST NEED JESUS and I can come to Him, no matter what.
“For these reasons and more we would come to the Lord. We would come because of God’s promise of restoration and renewal.We would come because of perfect protection and security. We would come because of peace. We would come because of bestowed righteousness. We would come because of forgiveness, redemption, wisdom, guidance.”
“Though the mountains move and the hills shake, my love will not be removed from you and my covenant of peace will not be shaken,” Isa 54:10
This verse in particular stands out to me as well and reminds me that even though so many situations and circumstances can be going on, the Lord and His peace is near. Chaos, my choices leadind to bad outcomes, uncertainty, hardship, suffering….the list goes on but, regardless, no matter what, I need Him and He is there and I can come to Him. Just come. Steadfast, immovable, faithful. Ready. Arms wide open. This is Jesus. Thanks be to God.✝️
Amen Wendy!
I love Isaiah 54:10 – nothing can shake the love God has for us!!
❤️
❤️
I love the picture of real renewal in this verse. Also the picture of you’re going to get back more than you lost. God never holds back!
I love this. We hold onto the things of this world so tightly. BUT we will have so much more with God.
Amen! When will we realize?!
❤️
We would come because of LOVE
God’s love for us-our love for Him.
.
Isaiah 55:12 is one of my favorite verses! I think of it every time I see the fronds on the Mimosa tree ‘clapping their hands” when the wind blows just right.
.
Crowder ~ Come As You Are is the first song that came to mind.
Partial lyrics:
Oh, wanderer, come home
You’re not too far
Lay down your hurt, lay down your heart
Come as you are
Come as you are
And fall in His arms
Come as you are
There’s joy for the morning
Oh, sinner, be still
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can’t heal
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can’t heal
.
Love, hugs, and prayers, sisters! ❤
Yes, great song!
I am reminded of a very old hymn “Come ye disconsolate” The last
verse declares “Come to the feast
of love,Come ever knowing ,earth has no sorrow that heaven can’t
remove!!
❤
❤
I love that song, but had forgotten all about it! Thanks for the reminder/encouragement as I pray for the “wanderers” in my life! ❤️
❤
❤️
God said, “Come” and I’m so glad I (we) accepted His invitation. And it was free. We didn’t need to bring anything! Now that’s OUR God!! Happy Friday sweeties!
Happy Friday Mari V.! ❤️
Mari V’s FAVORITE day!! :)
I love the vision of the little girl running to you! I can’t wait to run up and HUG you one day!
Aw…..Rhonda me too!!!
What beautiful scripture today! Reminds me of the Hymn “Just As I Am,” one of my favorites growing up. The end words…”I Come.” Just as I am….without one thing that God could want or us, nothing to offer the God of the universe, maker of heaven and earth, except myself, my love, my devotion. It’s pretty amazing. Just like Tina said, when our grands run to us with open arms and a happy smile into our arms….OH HOW it makes us feel so warm and fuzzy. Just like we spoil them, God spoils us with not only mercy and grace, but restoration, redemption, knowledge, discernment, transformation, wisdom, and so much more. My cup is filled. It even runneth over! His love changes my life to live differently!
The old is gone, the sin is washed away- NEVER to be seen again! I have the Holy Spirit with me daily! Fill me Lord daily! I need to walk and live for you now that you have received me. I love the verses about would a father give a stone to his hungry child…of course not!! God gives to his children (saved) what and when they are in need! I can rest in that! Blessed assurance. The devil will attack, but I will wear my daily armor, and know that I am strong and courageous through the Lord!
Another hymn popped into my head…”He Touched Me!” Oh, after his touch how my life changed! Here are the lyrics-
Shackled by a heavy burden,
‘Neath a load of guilt and shame.
Then the hand of Jesus touched me,
And now I am no longer the same.
He touched me, Oh He touched me,
And oh the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole.
Since I met this blessed Savior,
Since He cleansed and made me whole,
I will never cease to praise Him,
I’ll shout it while eternity rolls.
He touched me, Oh He touched me,
And oh the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened and now I know.
Thank you Jesus for your touch, and that I can come to you, run to your arms daily! May I share that beautiful, amazing LOVE daily to those in need.
❤️
“…my love will not be removed from you…” Isaiah 54:10
.
Love that! That jumped off the page at me today!
Me too, Adrienne!
❤️
❤️
Lord I want my actions in all ways to always run to You! Holy Spirit prompt me to pivot when I am headed any other way. In Jesus name, Amen
❣️ amen
“You will indeed go out with joy and be peacefully guided;” Isaiah 55:12
This verse paints a beautiful picture of the joyful restoration and peace that come with embracing God’s promises, the transformation that happens when people turn to God and follow His ways.
❤️
Lord God thank you for your gift of restoration!
May all the lost come to You, Lord! Guide us, Lord, so people can see You in our lives and would seek You while You may be found.
.
Thank you, Canaan Chapman, for a great devo.
.
BG verse today: Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
–
RHONDA J – thank you for yesterday’s comment re: don’t make Jesus the way we want. Look at churches today that have done that with Scripture. How many times have I heard ‘but God didn’t mean that’ … oh, but He did.
SUE DALOS – good to see you yesterday!
MARI V – love that she called out and ran to you! Isn’t that just the best feeling? A tiny taste of what the Lord must feel when we turn to and run to Him ❤️
CEE GEE ❤️
LYNNE FROM AL ❤️
MERCY ❤️
SHARON JERSEY GIRL- true, we can’t see a way for Jonathan but our God knows His way for him. The end goal is for Jonathan to turn back to the Lord, praying Jonathan will open his heart and that the way to that will be full of grace. Reminded of a song, I Know A Man Who Can, sung by several- Cathedrals and Greater Vision are 2 of my faves.
TAMI – praying
Thank you Searching – forever grateful for your encouraging words, and your prayers! ❤️
Thank you SEARCHING!
Love you sister ❤️
Thank you for your words and prayers, they are so appreciated.
Thank you, Canaan Chapman. Great reflection on these passages.
.
God is calling us to Himself, and once we turn, He asks us to help bring others to Him too.
.
DANIELLE B – rejoicing with you for the test results. You may inquire with your insurance if they would cover rides to/from work in your transition time…praying God will work it out quickly for you.
Thank you Kelly! I live in an area with the plain community, so there are plenty of drivers to reach out to, but if the insurance would help that would be wonderful. God has impressed upon me that I need to cut back on how many clients I see and trust Him to provide, so this might be one of those ways.
♥️
Amen❤️
Thank you my Lord , my God
We would come because of God’s promise of restoration and renewal.
We would come because of perfect protection and security
We would come because of peace.
We would come because of bestowed righteousness.
We would come because of forgiveness, redemption, wisdom, guidance.
.
Listen, I’m on my way.
I’m coming!
.
With all those reasons in my suitcase, my baggage, my burdens, I come to the LORD..
.
I have been on this earth long enough now to get that my life, without God is a disgusting sounding gong! My life without His presence, would be a life of no meaning! My life away from Him does not work as it should, does not make for good sense!
.
BUT GOD..
.
I come LORD, I come, because YOU see me, YOU know me, and although, sometimes I struggle to see and know ME, you LORD, come to me, bringing me hope.
YOU, do not see the unworthy me, or the broken and confused me, or the selfish and self-centred me, or the inconsiderate and unloving me.
.
BUT GOD..
YOU continue to forgive this wretched me, and continues to call me close.. And closer still..
.
Ummmm, why would I not come to One so loving and kind, and forgiving and gracious, and faithful..
One who continues wanting to bless me, even when…
.
Why would I not COME TO THE LORD?
.
I am absolutely certain in my heart that God’s invitation and promises are true.., So true, tears roll to think that I am loved so. s
So I, for one, will not let go of these wonderful outstretched arms of our Father God, and the peace He gives as I come to Him.
.
My beautifully and wonderfully made ‘grands’ came to mind, and the way they run towards me, with absolute happiness and joy when they see me.
.
Lord, may I be like a child again, making my way into the safety, and the loving arms YOU extend to me, seeing none of the baggage on my back, just me, your child, your beloved child..
.
AMEN.
.
Happy Friday!❤❤❤
Amen, amen, amen, sister! ❤️❤️❤️
O, so true, Tina.
Wholeheartedly agree!
Tina thank you for blessing us with your beautiful words today. You truly have a gift dear sister!
Beautiful!! Yes, may I run to Him daily, with a smile and love to his open arms!
Oh Tina what a wonderful prayer! I hope you don’t mind but I am definitely going to pray those same words!
Have a wonderful day ❤️❤️❤️
Yes and Amen! Happy Friday to you!
❤️❤️❤️
Perfectly said sweet sister!
Love and hugs to you ❤️
❤️❤️❤️!!!!!
Beautiful Tina. It reminds me of the hymn “Everlasting Arms”.
❤️❤️❤️ Thank you for writing out your heart! Blessings!
Yes, Tina.
The Lord says “lighten up”, My dear daughter.
You are loved. “As heaven is higher than earth”.
❤️
❤️❤️❤️