Isaiah 55:1-3

1 “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.
2 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.
3 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.

Contemplation:

Spiritual hunger.  It is the ache within us for something more.  We have drunk and eaten at another table, often at great personal expense.  We thought our own efforts would bring us the deep satisfaction we desire only to find that experience left us wanting something more.  

Through Isaiah, we are exhorted in this passage to come and feast at another table where the food and drink are not only better, but also free.  It begs the question, "Why would we need to be encouraged at all to feast at such a table?".  It would seem to be the best and perhaps only table we would ever want to dine at.  The answer lies in the condition of the invited.  All who thirst, hunger, and have no money will find delight at God's table.  

Without question, the first two conditions are common to each of us.  Hardly a day goes by that we do not hunger or thirst. But the final condition, that of having no money whatsoever, is less common.  Most of us have some money even if it is very little.  No money?  That's a rarity.  God offers His best to those who come to him in their poverty and not in their self-sufficiency.  The "poor in spirit" (Matthew 5:3), those who already know and accept their own poverty, are not distracted or obstructed by devices of their own making as they make their way to God's table.  Giving up control and letting God set the table is the first step to knowing true satisfaction.  All we are asked to do is come.

Question:

What are ways in which God may be calling me to give up my own provisions in order to know His provision?

Prayer:

God, I confess that too often I rely on what I have and do.  My wealth, my status and position offer me a fleeting feeling of satisfaction.  What I truly desire is a purpose filled life and to be loved perfectly and completely.  I recognize that I fear giving up control.   My mind comprehends that your big hands are capable of so much more than my little ones, but my ability to trust in this is daunting.  Help me to surrender every other thing that I hold onto with a white knuckle grip, that I might know the deeper delight of sitting at your table.