162: Isaiah 55
Today, I’m offering a simple reading of Isaiah 55. As I’ve sat with this passage myself recently, I’ve been reminded of the richness, vastness, goodness, and loving-kindness of God. Each time I engage it, it seems there is something new to consider. For me, it is chock-full of reminders to return to, and so, I thought why not share the wealth?
Throughout the episode, you are invited to listen and notice what you notice. Once the reading is through, I’ll offer a few questions for your consideration, as you reflect on the reminders God might have for you in this passage. Feel free to pause, to rewind, or even revisit as you see fit. As always, I hope it serves you well.
A reading from the prophet Isaiah, chapter 55, as found in the New International Version:
“Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.
See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a ruler and commander of the peoples.
Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations you do not know will come running to you,
because of the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor.”
Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn bush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
that will endure forever.”
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Does anything stand out to you in this passage? Maybe a word, image or phrase? A feeling or a question? Take a moment to consider what that might be for you.
What do you notice about your response to this passage? Do you resonate with it? Are you bothered by it? Both can be true, or you might notice something else entirely. Take a moment to welcome and sit with your response, whatever it may be.
Now, consider your current life and circumstances. If it’s helpful, maybe even focus in on this very day. What reminder or invitation might God be offering you through this passage?
Finally, as you hold onto that reminder or invitation, what do you need from God?
Today, may God’s Spirit provide for us what it is we need as we seek to be reminders of God’s presence and love in the world around us and continue to become the people God calls and invites us to be.