Finding Rest

 

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? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. (Isaiah 55:1-3 ESV).

 

Today is Monday. I have found myself facing that fact with dread too many times in my life. Some of those times were made more difficult simply because I wasn’t quite ready to give up the weekend and stayed up late on Sunday robbing myself of the necessary rest and causing me to start the week tired. At other times I simply didn’t like the tasks scheduled for the day. And, some of it had to do with whether or not I had my extra cup of coffee or not.

 

It makes no difference where you are or what your background is, the Lord calls us all to come and find rest and peace in him. In our reading today, through Isaiah the prophet, God calls, "Come, all you who are thirsty ... and you who have no money ... hear me, that your soul may live." (v. 1). This is much more difficult than it might at first appear.

 

This “rest” cannot be bought. All the wealth in the world cannot purchase the supreme blessing of forgiveness, renewed life, and the promise of heaven. But here in God's Word there is good news for each of us. Salvation can be ours; the Lord offers it "without money and without cost" to us. God has made a priceless promise to us on the basis of his unfailing love revealed in the cross of Jesus, his Son. If we seek him, we will find him; if we turn to him, he will be merciful to us and will freely pardon us. That's what Isaiah is talking about.

 

Practice trusting God for every day, even Mondays. Listen to him and "eat what is good." Stretch out your empty hands to the Lord in faith and let him fill your life with his mercy and his riches: life abundant and life eternal through Christ Jesus. It requires an intentionality that must be practiced regularly. Whether you are working from home or travel into an office; whether you are retired or fully engaged in your career; make sure you gather your rest from the source of peace and calm. God offers it to all “freely.” Listen to His call to “come.”