Focus

As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place.

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Read

Isaiah 55:1-7 (NRSV)

Ho, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and you that have 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 carefully to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
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.
See, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.
See, 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.

Seek the LORD while he may be found,
call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake their way,
and the unrighteous their thoughts;
let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

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Reflect

When my daughter was a young teenager, she wanted designer jeans. I had refused to buy them, feeling that other brands were just as good, if not better. To me it was wrong to spend that much money on an item of clothing when other people didn’t have what they needed. Hearing the disagreement, my sister offered to buy the desired jeans as a birthday gift. However, when we got to the mall, my daughter had a difficult time committing to a pair of jeans because she was aware of the cost and my reasons for not buying them. She did finally choose a pair, but I don’t think she ever really enjoyed wearing them.

Many people try to fill their lives with things that cannot satisfy—at least not long term. They amass wealth and possessions only to feel empty. They have plenty to eat, but continue to feel hungry. We can only know true satisfaction through a relationship with God, who offers us nourishment for our souls. We receive this nourishment through prayer, worship, praise, and study of scripture. Without a relationship with God, we will continue to feel empty and seek to fill that void with worldly things.

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Pray

Lord, thank you for giving us the nourishment we need—both physically and spiritually. Help us to be intentional in seeking to be in relationship with you. Amen.

Go with God.