Read
The Lord's Invitation
1 If you are thirsty,
come and drink water!
If you don't have any money,
come, eat what you want!
Drink wine and milk
without paying a cent.
2 Why waste your money
on what really isn't food?
Why work hard for something
that doesn't satisfy?
Listen carefully to me,
and you will enjoy
the very best foods.
3 Pay close attention!
Come to me and live.
I will promise you
the eternal love and loyalty
that I promised David.
4I made him the leader and ruler
of the nations;
he was my witness to them.
5You will call out to nations
you have never known.
And they have never known you,
but they will come running
because I am the Lord,
the holy God of Israel,
and I have honored you.
God's Words
6Turn to the Lord!
He can still be found.
Call out to God! He is near.
7Give up your evil ways
and your evil thoughts.
Return to the Lord our God.
He will be merciful
and forgive your sins.
8The Lord says:
“My thoughts and my ways
are not like yours.
9Just as the heavens
are higher than the earth,
my thoughts and my ways
are higher than yours.
10 “Rain and snow fall from the sky.
But they don't return
without watering the earth
that produces seeds to plant
and grain to eat.
11That's how it is with my words.
They don't return to me
without doing everything
I send them to do.”
God's People
12When you are set free,
you will celebrate
and travel home in peace.
Mountains and hills will sing
as you pass by,
and trees will clap.
13Cypress and myrtle trees
will grow in fields
once covered by thorns.
And then those trees will stand
as a lasting witness
to the glory of the Lord.
Reflect
What were you thinking?
You have probably asked that question when you see someone do something foolish. Perhaps you’ve asked it of yourself when you’ve messed up.
The same question applies to situations when someone does something extraordinarily generous, kind or self-sacrificing. In a tone tinged with wonder, we ask: How can they do that? What were they thinking?
God’s generous love and promises, as described by Isaiah, produces the same sense of wonder. In spite of his people’s repeated betrayals, the Lord invites them to his table, to live with him, and to enjoy his eternal love and presence.
Verses 8 and 9 point out that the “what were you thinking?” question is impossible to answer in this case. God’s thoughts are so much above and beyond ours, encompassing both the physical and the spiritual worlds, stretching for all eternity. He knows things that we can never comprehend. Similarly, his holiness, love and faithfulness is deeper, wider and richer than our minds can hope to grasp. Because we know his character, we can trust his promises, even when we can’t see them in our circumstances.
Respond
Gracious Lord, your generous love and promises extend far beyond my capacity to understand. I’m awestruck when I ponder your holiness, love and faithfulness. Help me to rest in your promises today, even if my circumstances would lead me to doubt. Amen.
Arnie Cole
DR. ARNIE COLE (Pepperdine) is the CEO of Back to the Bible—an international radio and internet ministry—and Director of Research and Development for the Center for Bible Engagement. He has spent much of his professional life tracking trends of human behavior. Dr. Cole is the co-author of seven books, including Seven Secrets of Worry-Free Living (BroadStreet Publishing). He and his wife, Char, are parents of adult children and operate an equestrian center in Nebraska.