Come to the Waters – Isaiah 55

¹ “Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters…
³ 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.  Isaiah 55:1b,3 NKJV

Come to the waters – Everyone!  The waters of life.  God beckons us to come to Him for what truly satisfies.  He is the Living Water that washes us clean, renews our strength and hope, and brings us new joy each day.

God’s comforting waters surround us and ease our anxieties and worries.  The healing waters bring wholeness, and the lightness of youth returns to our spirits.  God promises so many good things to all who will turn to Him.

Water is fundamental to life.  God provides the rain and snow to bring forth abundant beauty and nourishment, just as He gives His living word to bless and sustain our souls. 

¹⁰ “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater, ¹¹ So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.  Isaiah 55:10 NKJV

It is all too easy to get distracted and upset in life by the challenges and conflicts of the day.  Suddenly, we find ourselves with a negative or anxious attitude – fear and anger may sprout up and cause us and others discomfort.  Unmet expectations may create resentments.  A perfectly good day is now on the rocks.

When this happens, we have a solution.  God’s word can be like a shower for our soul.  The waters of His word wash over us like a flood of love and forgiveness, telling us, “Be still and know that I am God”.  They give us a renewed perspective, and tell us, “It is OK.  I love you.  I have you in My hand – it will all work out.”  We begin to calm down and can make amends with others for any damage we have done.

When Jesus met a Samaritan woman at the well in John 4, He told her of a water that springs up within the soul and grows into eternal life.  This is the Living Water which brings forth a life-saving faith in Christ.  When we drink of this water, the cares and trials of the world that had previously overwhelmed us fade into the background.  We are no longer in their grip as we are settled and calmed by the wonder and splendor of God.  We can rest and have peace, knowing that whatever is troubling us will be handled by His presence, power, and love.  He will bring healing, wholeness, and freedom, and restore us to a full and abundant life.

Later, Jesus called out to a crowd of people inviting them to come to the waters.

³⁷ 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. ³⁸ He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” ³⁹ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.  John 7:37-39 NKJV

Come to the waters!  Drink, wash, bath, unwind.  He loves us and wants to shower us with His blessings.

May we all draw from the Water of Life today to calm our spirits and remove our anxieties and fear.

Reflection

Lord, teach us to understand and meditate upon Your word.  Prosper it to speak to each of us with a unique message of tenderness and love.  Let Your cleansing waters wash over our souls and fill us with the Living Water of Your Holy Spirit.  May it well up within us, bringing peace to our souls and a blessing to those around us.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.