Lent
March 18, 2019
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 55:1-9
Ho, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and you that have 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?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food. –Isaiah 55:1-2
Water is necessary to sustain life. So how do we buy water when we have no money? Bread equals food also important for life. Why do we spend our money for things that do not satisfy us?
I have a love hate relationship with food. A skinny, sickly child, I loved to eat all the wonderful food that is readily available on a farm but inherited a digestive system that did not always cooperate. Fast forward to adulthood and I suddenly found myself grossly overweight resulting in the need to totally revamp my eating habits. I find at times I hunger for something I cannot identify but searching in all the wrong places for that just right food does not satisfy and can hurt.
I do not think Isaiah is talking about food or water or even meeting the needs of those who cannot afford either. He is challenging us to rise above searching for a God substitute when God loves us as deeply as we can possibly be loved If we welcome God into our lives, God can and will satisfy the deepest hungers of our souls. There is no price for God’s love but our willingness to share our love with him.
Prayer: Lord, forgive me when I opt for lesser gods instead of responding to your wondrous love. Amen.