2026 Pentecost Devotions I
Monday, July 27
Isaiah 55:1-5
1 Hear, everyone who thirsts;
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread
and your earnings for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
3 Incline your ear, and come to me;
listen, so that you may live.
I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
4 See, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.
5 Now you shall call nations that you do not know,
and nations that do not know you shall run to you,
because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.
“… Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. …”
I love to eat. It’s one of my favorite hobbies. I especially enjoy good food and rich food. Feasting on such fare is a great delight.
Unfortunately, to think about eating when reading Isaiah is to miss the point. Rather, the prophet is talking about the good and rich food provided by God. It’s not food for the stomach but food for the soul. When we feast on such good food as that, not only are we strengthened in Spirit, our souls themselves are revived.
As we incline our ears to the Lord – as we listen and receive within ourselves the Word and teaching of God – we are fed with good and rich food. Instead of filling our stomachs, our hearts of love, hope, justice, and peace are nourished. Instead of making our bodies stronger, it is our spirits that are renewed in faith and joy. God’s rich food makes us whole.
So, as the prophet says: Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in the rich food of God’s Word, God’s teachings, and the will of the Lord.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for providing for us such good and rich food as Your Word and teachings. Open my ears to hear and receive what Your offer that I may be nourished in heart, soul, and spirit. Amen.