This year on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, I had an encounter with the Lord. I woke up and clearly heard the phrase, “Isaiah 55:5.” Later, four people either sent me that verse or confirmed it some other way.
I believe Isaiah 55:1-5 is critical in this hour. Not coincidentally, the context of Isaiah 55 is God speaking to a discouraged nation of Israel. They were in captivity, their future was uncertain, and their lives were difficult. These verses reveal God’s direction for moving His people from thirst and longing to peace, joy, and fulfillment.
Therefore, with everything happening in Israel right now—the recent attacks and confirmations of Isaiah 55, in which God addressed a discouraged nation—I want to share a fresh word from God.
Isaiah 55:1-5 says: “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
“Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.
“Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you—the sure mercies of David.
“Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, a leader and commander for the people.
“Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, and nations who do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, and the Holy One of Israel; for He has glorified you.”
This is a profound invitation from God. In Isaiah 55:1, Jesus made it clear this is for everyone, but you must be thirsty. Are you? John 7:37-38 says, “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” If you’re thirsty; if your soul is dry, He is the thirst quencher.
Isaiah 55:1 invites those who are thirsty and without money to buy, but how can we spend without money? We can spend our time, energy, and effort. We only have so much mental, spiritual, and emotional energy. If we spend it on things the world offers us instead of what God offers us, we’ll be left feeling spent.
Revelation 3:18-19 says, “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” The Lord chastens those He loves, but then Jesus comes to spend time with us.
In the next verse, Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” He, in a very personal way, beckons each of us to commune with Him. Jesus wants us to drink the thirst-quenching living water, but He does not want us to sit at the table alone.
He will come in if we respond to His knock. He puts this question before us: are we willing to walk the difficult roads that lead to a deeper friendship and communion with Him? Don’t despise your trials. Every trial we go through is an opportunity to access His kingdom. He comes to us amid these refining fires, trials, and difficulties, and tries to get our attention.
We have been talking a lot about Israel. God is trying to get their attention right now. Tribulation will soften their hardened hearts and open their blinded eyes, but this is also an invitation for us. When we respond to His knock, He comes and dines with us. This can and will be our stability in times of trouble.
Isaiah 60:1-3 shows us what things will look like for Zion in the last days: “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”
We are on the verge of a jubilee, the greatest transfer of wealth from the wicked to the righteous in human history. Isaiah 55:6 says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.” Can you feel the sense of urgency in His voice? Our hearts must be inclined to listen.
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Blessings,
Chris Reed | President & CEO
MorningStar Ministries
