I enjoy eating really delicious food, but I also want to eat things that make me healthy and strong. So, occasionally I choose to eat for the pleasure and taste, but most times I eat for nutrition and energy. I know I feel better when I pay attention to the things I eat; my body finds a way to tell me,”no!” lol
Jesus offers us salvation and spiritual life-giving food that always satisfies, yet as human beings we still crave the worldly food of pleasure don’t we? We are offered the sustenance that makes us strong, wise, secure, and feel loved—the life we were created to live—but we may actually hunger for the things that add nothing good or eternal to our lives. We have many choices to make in what we take into our lives. If we will listen to his Word and obey his instruction, we will eat the manna of heaven—the finest food.
In our passage today from Isaiah [name means Yahweh is salvation], we read about the marvelous plans God has for us and yet, we must choose to hunger and thirst for the righteousness he offers. Isaiah prophesies about Messiah and how he will come to rescue and deliver humanity from self-destruction by suffering for the sins of the people.
Jesus Messiah takes our sin, so we can taste his glory. That kind of merciful love and forgiveness is hard to wrap our minds around. Nonetheless, it is the Truth, so take time with the Lord, today, meditate on God’s goodness, and praise his name!
Isaiah 55:1-9 NLT Invitation to the Lord’s Salvation
1
“Is anyone thirsty?
Come and drink—
even if you have no money!
Come, take your choice of wine or milk—
it’s all free!
2
Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?
Why pay for food that does you no good?
Listen to me, and you will eat what is good.
You will enjoy the finest food.
3
“Come to me with your ears wide open.
Listen, and you will find life.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you.
I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.
4
See how I used him to display my power among the peoples.
I made him a leader among the nations.
5
You also will command nations you do not know,
and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey,
because I, the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.”
6
Seek the Lord while you can find him.
Call on him now while he is near.
7
Let the wicked change their ways
and banish the very thought of doing wrong.
Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.
Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
8
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for feeding us from your Tree of Life. We reach for the heavenly manna that satisfies and brings good things to our lives. Holy Spirit, help us thirst and hunger for that which is eternal as we live in these human bodies. We need healthy physical food and holy eternal spiritual food in Jesus’ name. Amen.