May 28, 2009

Isaiah 55
I have often said, that if I could only have one book of the Bible, I would want the book of Isaiah. It is so full of prophecy, promise, poetry and praise. And by estimation, the LORD gave it to us no less than 3 times, perhaps 4 if you count the reformation. The first time these words were shared was nearly 3000 years ago. When Isaiah first heard and saw that which the LORD would have him write. Then, between the councils of the 4th and 5th century and the translating of the original languages into Latin and German and English etc, the people were once more given these beautiful words, these Living Words. Finally, in the mid 20th century, we received it again via the Dead Sea Scrolls. Carbon dated and proven to be written generations before the birth of Jesus, the messianic prophesies are hard to deny. A virgin will give birth, He will be pierced for our transgressions, and one of my favorite to quote to the most severe skeptic “His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet he was with a rich man in his death” (53:9) (See Matt. 27:57-60).
So now, as my husband and I anticipate the possibility of a new ministry, I am reminded of the first chapter I meditated on when we moved to this area a decade ago. The alter Bible was open to Isaiah 55, in the little church where Art was called to pastor. I remembered how it started…”Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters, And you who have no money, come buy and eat..” I thought it might be a good place to go this week. All things considered.
Every one who thirsts, come to the water…the living water. I never thought that much about water until I moved to a desert. And you who have no money…wine and milk without money and without cost.
That’s one of the visions I have for ministry. A place where the thirsty and weary can stop for a cold drink and find refreshment for their souls as well. “Coffee and Tea Always Free - Now Open - Everyone Welcome!
And a call to the nations. Seek the LORD while He may be found. So I think of how the nations gather here in the Four Corners. Navajo and Apache, Mexican and Anglo, many tribes, tongues, and nations. Reminds me of Acts 17:26 - 27 “and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for him and find him.”
There is, in that chapter, a well known and often quoted verse. One used especially when something tragic happens - “For my thoughts are not your thoughts nor are your ways my ways declares the LORD, for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” I take these words, not as an explanation or source of comfort, but rather as a warning to those who think they understand it all better than anyone else. God has given us his living word. He has revealed his will and nature through that word. But there are still mysteries which we will never understand, debates that will never be settled. Who and Why and How does God forgive? Can the predestined wicked actually forsake their ways and return to the LORD?
And then the WORD, the Living Word, Jesus, that goes forth from his mouth and accomplishes what God decided would be accomplished.
Hear the music? You will go out with joy and be led forth with peace,
The mountains and hills will break forth before
And the trees of the fields will clap their hands…
And finally, another desert promise: instead of the thorn bush, the cypress will come up, instead of the nettle, the myrtle will come up, Yes and