“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:1-2a)
These days in the west, particularly here in the USA, there seems to be quite a lot of people who are dissatisfied with who they are, with their gender or identity. There are many who seek meaning and purpose in pursuing leisure activities and lifestyles which raise their adrenaline. Others seek meaning and purpose in getting their fifteen minutes of fame, their name and picture noticed by millions as if that would ensure their legacy and bring them self-esteem. And still others engage in violence, incivility, and criminal behavior to ensure the same thing. Such thirsty and confused people spend time, energy, and resources to make themselves feel worthy, accepted, or valued, to erase their guilt and shame. To them, we believers would raise the question that the Lord raises through the words of Isaiah the prophet: Why do you spend money on what is not bread? Why do you labor for what does not satisfy?
As we watch so many people in our nation display their frustration, anger, and bitterness, who demand their right to live as they please, with Isaiah we should ask why they do not accept the Lord’s offer of salvation and peace? Have they not heard of the grace, love and acceptance that comes in and through faith in the saving cross of Jesus? If they have heard apparently they have rejected it and believe that salvation and peace come from government, virtue shaming, or force. We who believe in Jesus ought to feel sorry for them. Their sin, their rejection of God and His provision in Jesus, will bring them eternal suffering.
As with the bread of Isaiah, the salvation of the Lord is freely given without cost to us. We do not and cannot earn it. This does not mean that every human being is saved. This is not cheap grace. The offer of free salvation is bestowed only on those who acknowledge that they are sinners and that they need God’s mercy. Those who request His help will definitely find that He is there to lift them up. They will be comforted in this life for they know they will experience the eternal joy of heaven.