“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 

John 4:13-14

What are you thirsty for in this life?  Do you thirst more for recognition among your friends and family than being known by God?  Do you thirst for more success and more money?  Is your greatest thirst to become a parent and have a happy family?  Really take a moment to think about what it is that you thirst most for in this life.  The thing is, when you are thirsty, you need water to quench your thirst, not coffee or tea, but water… and eventually, you will thirst again.  In order to get us through this life; to persevere, we need to quench our thirst with the living water, the water that will sustain us for eternity.  

Isaiah, who spoke on God’s behalf was speaking out against the corruption that was happening in Israel, sharing the Hope of the Covenant God made with his people.  Isaiah shares how we can quench our thirst in this world.  “Come” was repeated multiple times at the beginning of Isaiah 55.  “Come, all 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.”  Isaiah 55:1-2 If and while we are thirsty, we must “come” to the Lord- we need to actively seek the Lord.  Nothing we do here on earth can buy our salvation.  No amount of good works, time, and treasure are enough to give us the living water, it is through what Christ has already done for us.  I think that’s what it means when Isaiah says “you who have no money, come buy wine and milk without money and without cost”.  Our debt has already been paid, Jesus Christ paid our debt.  God wants you to come and receive.  You are thirsty, you have a need and the Lord can and wants to help.  He is inviting you to “come”.  

Then, we are told to “listen”. “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.” Isaiah 55: 2-3  We are to listen to the Lord, seek the Lord and hear from him when he speaks.  How does he speak?  Through his living word, through opening the Bible and letting the Lord speak to you.  As we listen to the Lord, we will be fulfilled- we will be satisfied in both hunger and thirst.  “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him (come), while he is near (and listen).” Isaiah 55:6  

Then the Lord reminds us why it is that we need to seek him for our needs, rather than things of this world.  “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.”  Isaiah 55:8-9  We need to seek the Lord and listen to his guidance for our life because he sees the bigger picture.  He sees our needs and knows the exact way to supply the need, his ways are higher than our own.  God is reminding us that he is “the way”, the living water.  God then gives us a beautiful example of how His Word yields good things.  “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.” Isaiah 55:10-11  There is reason for rain on the earth.  The rain does not go back to heaven without serving its purpose.  The rain feeds the land, yields crops, helps plants flourish- there is motivation behind the rain.  Just like there is a purpose to the rain, there is a purpose to each word God speaks, through the Holy Spirit, through his living Word.  God doesn’t say things to just say things, he has reason and meaning for every single thing he does.  God’s word is not inactive and empty, no it is alive, active, and piercing.  It has meaning, truth and fulfills our thirsty souls.  The Bible is God-breathed, we must come to the Lord, listen to him through his Word and let our lives be directed by Him.  

Remember, God’s word is like rain falling down on the earth, it serves a greater plan; growing things, producing fruit, yielding seeds.  God is a purposeful God, his promises aren’t empty, but always true.  He finishes the race, he completes each task and he follows through with endurance; that is how we are called to walk through this life.  As we’ve heard before, don’t mistake God’s delays for denials.  God didn’t forget you, God didn’t leave you, instead “he accomplishes and achieves the purpose for which he sent”.  Then God ends this chapter with a promise, the promise for joy and peace.  From opening His Word, from receiving his word, “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace”.  Isaiah 55:12  

Regardless of your circumstance, regardless of how thirsty you are, you will find joy and peace from God.  God can fulfill your need, even when it doesn’t make sense.  God can give you peace and joy, even when our circumstances and the world say otherwise.  That is something that can only be found through God alone, the living water.   Remember what Jesus told the woman at the well, “Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10  If you want to know, you must come to the Lord.  If you ask the Lord for something, you need to listen to his response.  “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14  Let God’s living water quench your every thirst in this life and for eternity.  “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.  To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.” Revelation 21:6 “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come! And let those who hear say, “Come, and let all who wish take the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22:17