Come and Listen

First a quick apology to those that read this blog regularly. I was out of the country with limited internet access and even less time. I know its been several days since I wrote. My prayer is that you have been well blessed.

This morning I am reading from Isaiah:

Isaiah 55:1-3 NIV
“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. [2] 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. [3] Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.

The two main operative words for us in these three verses are come and listen. I was just thinking about how dry and disconnected, and hungry for the Lord I feel after three very busy days where I wasn't able to spend much time with the Lord in prayer. I opened my Bible right to these verses.

The directions are simple, come and listen. If I am feeling thirsty and dry, if I am feeling hungry for more, if I need encouragement, love or more life, the prescription for change is the same, come and listen. It is in listening that we will be fed the richest of fare. Its in listening that we will be filled with life.

He calls us to come near, so that we can get beyond the distractions that are surrounding us. He calls us near because He loves us and enjoys our presence. He calls near so that we might receive from Him directly the very best. I am reminded of the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42 NIV:

"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. [39] She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. [40] But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” [41] “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, [42] but few things are needed---or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Mary chose to go to Jesus and listen to Him. Jesus said this was really the only thing that was needed!

The invitation has been given - "come and listen!"

Lord help us to make the time to do exactly that! Amen!