“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.” Isa. 55:1-3 (NIV)
Heavenly Father, this is such an encouraging passage of Scripture. You seek us faithfully, love us passionately, and speak to us graciously. Thank you for always addressing us as your beloved daughters and sons; and for always wanting to satisfy us with daily mercy and fresh grace. You’ve given us two ears and one mouth. May hearing your voice be a far greater preoccupation than trying to tell you how to write our stories.
Speak louder than all the advice and opinions coming at us from so many different sources. We thank you for caring friends, Internet searches, and awesome books; but may your voice transcend the information overload of our world. Speak to us through your Word, by your Spirit, about your Son.
Speak with more authority than our fears. Fears of not being in control of our changing health and our loved ones’ choices; fears of world terror and national government; fears of not having enough or being enough.
Father, cut through the lingering voice of our guilt and shame. Sometimes the “what if’s” and “if only’s” of our past paralyze our ability to hear from you clearly. Vain regrets can create a bondage that is hard to break, but the gospel can do so. Grant us greater freedom, Lord. Because Jesus lives, we can face our yesterdays just as easily as our tomorrows.
Father, speak more convincingly than the limits of our reason. You haven’t promised us all the answers we want; but you have promised all the grace we need. We rest in your love, surrender to your sovereignty, and anticipate your faithfulness. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ loving and strong name.
