Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Isaiah 55:1-3 (NIV84) Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! ... 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 your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
RICH IN CHRIST
What if you had a luxurious yacht which you could sail to exotic ports of call throughout the world? What if you could indulge every whim and buy whatever might catch your eye at the moment? That was the life of an heiress in a movie my wife and I watched once. But even though she had unbelievable wealth and privilege, she did nothing but complain about everything from the expensive food to the people around her. She really didn't appreciate all that she had been given.
Do we appreciate all we have? Chances are, none of us has a yacht berthed at the lakefront, but we are incredibly rich. In His Word God freely gives us "the unsearchable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8 NIV84). He spreads before us a breathtaking banquet and invites: "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! ... 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 your soul will delight in the richest of fare" (Isaiah 55:1ff NIV84).
What are forgiveness and a clear conscience worth? What would you pay for the guarantee that everything in life will fall into place for your eternal good? How much is eternal life worth? We have nothing of our own. We're completely destitute. We deserve only condemnation and eternal death because of our sins. We came into the world as God's enemies.
But the Lord took pity on us, paid our debt of sin in full, and adopted us into His family through baptism. Now we are royal heirs, "heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:17 NIV84). We have riches all the money in the world cannot buy, for forgiveness, peace with God, contentment, and eternal life come only by "the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect" (1 Peter 1:19 NIV84).
Complain? Why should we? How can we when all things that are good for body and soul are freely given to us by the heavenly Father? Instead, take time today to reflect on how wealthy we truly are and praise our Savior God for His lavish gifts.
