Text: Isaiah 55:1-13, Isaiah 56:1-12, John 7:37-39, 1 Corinthians 2:9
Last August, my husband and I went to Seattle for a Christian counseling conference. The entire city was experiencing an “unprecedented heat wave” of 80-degree days, which to us felt like a welcome reprieve from the sweltering weather we’d been suffering in Tennessee. On the second to last day of the conference, we noticed another couple at our table smirk when the facilitator apologized yet again for the weather, and quickly struck up a conversation about our common hatred of humidity.
As it turned out, they were from Atlanta, and since we only had a few minutes to chat, the couple asked if we wanted to join them that night for dinner. They’d had reservations for their anniversary at an acclaimed waterfront restaurant for more than six months, but the wife assured me that she could call and get the hostess to add two more seats to the table.
What unfolded that night over dinner was nothing short of the gospel. As the sun melted into the water, our conversation went wide and deep, covering the vast terrain of our lives. We tasted grilled octopus and braised lamb shoulder and homemade pastas. When the entrees arrived, Patrick and I ordered the most expensive bottle of wine we could afford, hoping to offer a small gesture of gratitude to our new friends for sharing their anniversary reservation with us. I still remember looking at the price and wondering if we’d gone a little overboard. But this night was special; there was something providential about it.
Several hours later, I noticed the waitress drop a black folded book in front of our new friends. I elbowed my husband in the ribs hard—the universal wife-code for ‘get out your wallet!’—but it was too late. The check had been paid. A signature was already on the bottom of the receipt.
“But,” I started, embarrassed. “That was a really expensive meal. We wanted to…” I looked to Patrick for back-up. “…This was your anniversary!”
It’s hard to think of the extravagance of that night without imagining the extravagance of Jesus. Isaiah paints us a picture of the most opulent love—a free gift available to anyone and everyone. No one is excluded. No one is unwelcome. Our God says, “Come!” He prepares a table before us with food—not just for our bodies, but for our souls. And it costs us nothing. The view from that table will be magnificent because our host, our friend, is the Son of God.
Isaiah and Jesus invite all to come. But as the bride of Christ, we, too, can join in offering the invitation, which echoes from the Old Testament straight through the book of Revelation:
The Spirit and the bride say, Come! And let him who hears say, Come! Whoever is thirsty let him come and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
– Revelation 22:17
Let nothing keep us from joining in the feast. For as gracious as our God has been in His invitation, not one of us can fathom the goodness He’s prepared for us—for all who love Him—in the days to come (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Thanks be to God.
Claire Gibson is a freelance writer and editor whose work has been featured both locally and nationally in publications including The Washington Post, and Entrepreneur Magazine. An Army kid who grew up at West Point, New York, Claire is currently growing roots in Nashville, Tennessee. She loves her husband, Patrick, and their dog, Winnie.
I have long loved Isaiah- especially chapters 43, 53-55. It’s been so prophetic in my life. But the riches of the promises of Isaiah 55 are that much sweeter for having read through all the preceding chapters of judgment.
I just love this song by Andrew Peterson, which borrows from Is. 55 and John 15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcNVcK6xZdE
That is absolutely one of my favorite songs! Couldn’t get it out of my head during the reading.
Same! I love it when musicians use Scripture as the basis for this songs. And this is one of my very favorites.
I’m amazed at how much of what we quote at different times and for different situations comes from Isaiah 55. I could have copied and pasted the entire chapter, practically, as my devotion!
I also love how at the beginning of chapter 56, we are reminded that the inability (for whatever reason) to physically have children does not make the individual any less important to God. In this particular chapter, eunuchs had the opportunity to make just as much of a spiritual impact for the kingdom of God as married folks with families. I so wish I’d had that mindset as a young, single woman! And I pray my husband and I now can impart that desire for the glory and kingdom of God to be manifest in all circumstances into our own children, that they may be content and passionate for Him no matter where they find themselves.
Thank you for sharing this, Christina!
– Stormye
Two things stand out to me immediately from today’s reading: One, God’s ways are different than ours. I continually have to remind myself of this. Two, that God’s Word is sent out, but doesn’t come back empty handed. It does what it’s supposed to do and gets His work done. It gives me encouragement to continue spending time in His Word.
Asking for prayer: one of the girls in the youth group I serve with confided in me last night that she and her mom have until this Saturday to secure housing, or else they will be living out of their car (again). She wept and told me she doesn’t want to be on the streets again. She’s only in the 8th grade and she’s also trying to keep her grades from falling while they’re dealing with this so that she’ll be able to go on to high school next year. So many facets to this heartbreaking situation. But we are praying, and I know God can make a way. Will you pray with us? I would be so grateful. Her name is Paige
Praying for sweet Paige right now, April. Thank you for sharing this. I’m so grateful that Paige has you in her life to love on her through these hard times.
– Stormye
Lord go before Paige and her mother. Pave a way. Provide a miracle for the Glory of Your name. In Jesus Name Amen.
my prayers are going now for Paige and her mom–
Praying for this dear girl and her mother.
Praying that God will make a way where there seem to be no way. May she and her family find housing and May God do it for His Glory in Jesus’ name Amen
Praying for Paige and her mom, also that you would be an instrument in God’s hands for them.
Praise report!! Paige just sent me a text saying she and her mom were granted one more month before they have to be out – just a gracious whim on their landlord’s part. Thank you Jesus! She also said she had just a really wonderful day and did well at her science fair. God is so good to us. Please remember her and her mom in your prayers, but for the very immediate future their needs are met. So thankful for this community.
I am a day behind in my reading and just BLOWN AWAY by this exchange from yesterday–to the point of tears of joy! Our God is a God of action! Thank you, LORD, for your swift action here and for inviting this community of women into your work. Thank you for April and her willingness to share and to ask! Thank you for Paige and her mom and for Your provision. Be with them as they walk and continually remind them and us that YOU are the source of their/our security here on earth and eternally!
Thank you for the update, April! So glad to hear that. Asking the Lord to continue to grant them favor and to find them a place to live!
– Stormye
Yet another great illustration of God’s extravagant love, as well as the great mercy and grace He extends to us. No matter who we are or where we’ve been He says, “Come, to the Living Water and thirst no more.” Thank you Claire, great post as always! God bless!
This study this morning left me feeling a wave of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians, it writes, “Spirit recognizes Spirit” — the exact feeling that I have right now. The amazing works of Jesus have washed over me and reminded me just how GOOD He is. Not that I have ever thought anything but, but the true power of that statement will sometimes hit me – in moments of weakness or in moments where my heart seems hardened to His Wonderful Mercies. “Lord, help my hardened heart seek Your Face.” & in those moments its where I feel His Light shine into the depths of my heart. Like a swimmer who comes up for air, the gasp of air, bringing me back to life. So, thank you endlessly for this amazing devotional this morning. You, my dear, have left me feeling inspired and convicted to spend more time with Him.
Oh the sting of rejection has become far too familiar these past few years.. so to read “no one is unwelcome, no one is excluded” makes my broken heart come alive.. all too often the treatment we endure rolls over, often unwittingly, to how we think God views us.. we become convinced that we are pretty much a beggar of sorts happy with the crumbs of His notice… may we not ever see God the way we see people.. He adores us, invites us, gets giddy over us! We don’t annoy Him or worst disgust Him.. we are not a people He’s forced to try and love.. we are the apple of His eye and the objects of His deep affection.. His capacity to see beyond our many flaws is incomprehensible.. humans get frustrated so quickly so often.. God is not like that.. I pray we all understand this Easter that His life was poured our for us, yes because of sin, but oh yes because of love, a great love for each of us personally.. we are always invited, always included, always wanted, forever cherished and lavishly loved. Yes and amen.
Beautiful!
Love this!
Love this. Thank you for sharing this truth!