Invitation to the Thirsty

Text: Isaiah 55:1-9
Service Date: 3.23.25
Sermon:
As we continue in the Lenten season, we often reflect on our relationship with God. We take
time to fast and prayer, allowing God to speak to us and open our hearts to God’s love. We
can come to God freely when we need this. God offers salvation freely, but to nourish our
souls we must eagerly receive it. We will starve spiritually without this food as surely as we
starve physically without our daily bread.

Before we take the time to reflect on today’s scripture, we need to discuss the book of Isaiah.
The first half of the book (chapter 1-39) was probably written during Isaiah’s ministry,
around 700 BCE. The second half of the book (40-66) may have been written near the end of
Isaiah’s life, around 681 BCE.

According to www.britannica.com, there are a few ideas of who wrote this book, “First
Isaiah contains the words and prophecies of Isaiah, a most important 8th-century BCE
prophet of Judah, written either by himself or his contemporary followers in Jerusalem (from
c. 740 to 700 BCE), along with some later additions, such as chapters 24–27 and 33–39. The
first of these two additions was probably written by a later disciple or disciples of Isaiah
about 500 BCE; the second addition is divided into two sections—chapters 33–35, written
during or after the exile to Babylon in 586 BCE, and chapters 36–39, which drew from the
source used by the Deuteronomic historian in II Kings, chapters 18–19.”

www.britannica.com adds that the book of Isaiah was “Compiled over a period of about two
centuries (the latter half of the 8th to the latter half of the 6th century BCE), the Book of
Isaiah is generally divided by scholars into two (sometimes three) major sections, which are
called First Isaiah (chapters 1–39), Deutero-Isaiah (chapters 40–55 or 40–66), and—if the
second section is subdivided—Trito-Isaiah (chapters 56–66).”

According to zondervanacademic.com, there may have been at least three authors of the book
of Isaiah, they add, “Presumably, Isaiah (“proto-Isaiah”) wrote chapters 1–39, an anonymous
author living during the exile (“deutero-Isaiah”) wrote 40–55, and another anonymous author

living after the exile (“trito-Isaiah”) wrote 56–66. These authors are also referred to as First
Isaiah, Second Isaiah, and Third Isaiah.”

The theme of coming to the Lord if you are thirsty runs through the Bible. The Lord gave
water to the Israelites when they were walking through the desert to Mount Sinai (Exodus
17:1-6). The same offer is part of Jesus’ discussion with the Samaritan woman at the well
(John 4:13-14). Jesus repeats the offer to the crowds in Jerusalem (John 17:37-38). God
wants us to come to him so his Spirit can satisfy us.

Isaiah tells us to call on the Lord while he is near. God will never move away from us, but we
often move far away from God and create barriers of sin between ourselves and God. We are
encouraged to accept God’s forgiveness now, while you can, before it is too late.

I often struggle with this phrasing in verse 6, which states, “Seek the lord while he may be
found” I believe that this creates fear tactics that is used by many pastors use to manipulate
their congregation. While I believe that scripture tells a different story.

As I read this passage, I realized that all my notes indicate that it is our responsibility to seek
the Lord in our times of need. But what I have noticed God often opens the doors. Many
resources put a lot of pressure on the people to find refuge in the Lord. Yet, God calls us to
him. God offers us free grace. Our relationship with God is not transactional. Everything that
God gives us is simply out of love and a desire to see us receive the best.

While we are asked to respond to God’s invitation, I believe that the scripture is clear that
God is patient with us and continues to keep the invitation open throughout our lives. The
scripture is clear that God’s kindness and love is acceptable for all. God loves all of us and
therefore God provides for all of us the same, regardless of our status.

​ In this time, let us reflect on this invitation. An invitation of love; an invitation for God’s
provision; an invitation of acceptance; an invitation for the thirsty.

Conclusion: Let us be people who accepts God’s invitation into his love, grace and
acceptance.