Have you ever had such a full heart of self-pity, self-doubt, self-recrimination that there wasn’t room for anything else?
I can remember the place I was sitting, in a woman’s home, and the woman who was sitting beside me the first time I heard the life-giving words of Isaiah 55. It was the invitation and the balm I needed. My head was full of bad tapes playing on repeat, constantly reminding me of my failings, my ineptitude, and my “stuckness.” My heart was so overfull with regrets. I was working so hard to look “okay” on the outside so no one would know how completely broken I was on the inside. Of course, I was failing miserably. And then these words broke through … I pray you will listen diligently to what God the Father has for you …
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant.” Isaiah 55.1-3
“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher that the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts (higher) than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55.6-9
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55.10-11
Come … all of God’s compassion can be summed up in this word … come. Hear it with your ears and with your heart. Receive the most gracious gift … sustenance far beyond our physical requirements, relief from trying to control and work out everything the way we know it should, refreshment of soul and mind. No matter your burden, your trial, your past. God is inviting you to rest in Him. Today, tomorrow, forever because that is His timeline … forever!
Jesus our Savior prayed these words for you, dear woman …
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11.28
Set down your burdens and take on the yoke of trusting in Jesus. May you seek and find and experience God’s compassion and mercy for your head, your heart, your soul.
You are so loved! Blessings, Colleen