THE INVITATION TO CONTENTMENT

ISAIAH 55

INTRODUCTION

The bible has many invitations. This passage is God’s invitation to contentment. Few people in the world ever reach a level of contentment. In fact, one poet put it this way “As a rule, man is a fool, when it is hot, he wants it cool, and when it is cool, he wants it hot, Always wanting what is not.”

We live in a world filled with discontented people. When you look, people are striving to get more stuff. They are laboring to have more things. Discontentment and dissatisfaction are a common stay of men even in the church. Dissatisfied with wife, husband, children, money, position, things. People are looking for contentment in places, people and things.

In Isaiah 55:2, we get the answer to this problem;

1. People seek satisfaction in their possessions. They think things will give them contentment. Possessions are temporary at best, they wear out. The things we value so much are going to be left behind one of these days- you will not take a house, a car, a certificate etc. whatever your thing is, it will not see eternity. If your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep will be your downfall. Possessions cannot satisfy the deepest things of the soul.
2. People seek satisfaction in their pursuits- “they labor for that which satisfied not”. They pursue hobbies, work, sports and the pleasures of this life. These would not satisfy the deepest needs of the soul. The more you invest your time and effort in these things, the more they will require from you. Your pursuit will pursue you. Whether it is work or pleasure, it will consume your life if you let it. Just like possessions, the pursuit of life will end when this earthly life ends. In these verses, God reveals the true source of permanent satisfaction. Eternal contentment is guaranteed to those who will hear His voice and respond to His invitation.

Let us learn:-

I.  THE OFFERS OF THIS INVITATIONS (55:1)

1. The right provisions. There are three basic substances that God offers in this verse. He offers them to all who will come to Him.
2. He offers water.

• Water is important to life, 70% of our bodies is water.
• It takes water to keep us alive. The normal human can only live for three days without water.
• In John 3:5, “ Except a man is born of water (word) and the spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God”
• The gospel message is the water of life. (John 4:13-14)
• Jesus promised complete contentment to everyone who will drink the water of life (John 7:37, rev.22:17)

2. He offers wine. In Biblical times, wine was as important as water- wine was purifier of drinking water. It killed the bacteria. Wine brings joy and happiness (Psalm 104:15) wine is a picture of the Holy Spirit. (I Peter 1:8, John 14:16-18, Acts 2:13, Eph.5:18)
3. He offers Milk- Milk is essential for healthy growth. Milk in the bible is a picture of the word of God ( 1 Peter 2:2, I Cor.3:2, Heb.5:12-13)
4. The Right Price

• The world will make you pay for everything you get.
• Religion will make you labor for every blessing you receive.
• Sin, the flesh and the world all make you pay dearly for any promise of contentment they may offer you.
• God, on the other hand, places every offer He has on the table as a free gift.
• God offers, salvation and contentment to all who will come to Him free of charge (Rev.22:17, Rom.3:24)
• Why?, “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.”

II.  THE OPPORTUNITIES OF THIS INVITATION (55:2-5)

1. The opportunity for salvation- “Your soul will live”

• The soul of the natural man is dead and separated from God. (Isa.59:2) and in terrible danger (Eze.18:4)
• Every soul born into the world is born dead (rom.3:10-23)
• Every soul born into the world is headed to hell (Rom.6:23)

1. The opportunity for satisfaction (v.2)

• The soul that receives Gods offer will delight in fatness and abundance (Jn.10:10) peace, joy, rest, acceptance, blessing, love and salvation.

1. The opportunity for security “He will make an everlasting covenant with you” Eternal security- Eternal life.

III.  THE OBLIGATIONS OF THIS INVITATION (V.1-3)

• There are three requirements mentioned.

1. There is something you must have (V.1) “Everyone that thirsteth”

• Spiritual thirst- God’s offer is for sinners only (Lk.19:10, Mk.2:17)

1. There is something you must hear, Hearken; incline; Hear

• If there is a thirst in your soul for a different life,
• If you are dissatisfied with the way you are living
• If you will hear His voice and come to Him, He will save.
• So “seek the Lord while He may be found, call Him when He is near.” (v.6-7)

CONCLUSION

• Do you have true contentment today?
• Has He given you contentment in your soul?
• If not, come to Jesus Christ today, Christ is near to you today.