“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.” (Isaiah 55:1-4 KJV)
In these verses (Is. 55:3-4), we note that God promised David as a gift to His people Israel, likewise as new covenant believers, we were promised through Isaiah and other Old Testament prophets the “Gift of God” (John 4:10), Jesus Christ God sent into the world through the line of David.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Is. 9:6 KJV)
Do you have a need today? Our loving Father is beckoning those who lack anything to come to Him because all that we receive from Him is free of charge. Jesus Christ already became a sacrifice, paid the price for all that we need. If God is not the source of our sustenance or we are not exerting effort for His sake in whatever we do, then all we do is in vain or amounts to nothing because our deeds do not have eternal value to the glory of God. This is a truth which affirms the fact that we reap what we sow
God also spoke to the Israelites through Isaiah (1:19-20) “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it].”
Mary and Joseph were being obedient to Caesar Augustus’ decree (Luke 2:1) by moving to Bethlehem to pay taxes as Joseph, from the Royal line of David was originally from that city. Mary was about to give birth to Jesus at the time and we know that this relocation was God’s sovereign will and in His perfect timing as it was prophesied that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
Brethren, likewise be encouraged that even as you obey God by obeying the laws of the land, however unreasonable as they may be, God is orchestrating events so that His prophetic plans for your life are being fulfilled. His only requirement is that you agree to be His instruments as Mary and Joseph so as to “give birth” to righteousness into this world.
As children of God our spiritual authority comes from God and it surpasses that of the government or ungodly world leaders. Therefore as we give what belongs to the government leaders of this world (“Caesar”) to them, as long as we give to God what is His, which is a surrendered life in relationship and service, He is able to use us through our intercessory prayer and actions to bring about changes in governments so as to fulfil His purposes. Our calling is to proclaim that indeed Jesus is in control of world governments as they are “upon his shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6), he through whom and for whom all things were created “things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities” (Col 1:16).
Brothers and sisters this is the awesome authority that we have from God through Christ Jesus which we should not take lightly but for which we should rejoice day and night!
Most believers in Jesus know that 25th December was not the day Jesus was born, but we focus our meditation in this season on the reason for Jesus’ birth and so we glorify God that through Jesus Christ alone (John 14:6-7) we are able to respond to God’s gracious call on us to “eat and drink” from Him freely so that we will have abundant and eternal life or so that our souls would “delight itself in fatness”(Is 55:2).
Jesus said
-“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 KJV)
–Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.48 I am that bread of life.49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. (John 6:47-56 KJV)
Jesus gives us the
– “Light of life” because he is the light of the world (John 8:12). Equally we are the light of the world to give the life of God (or an illumination of God’s truths) to a dying world.
-“Water” to drink which will quench our thirst forever, for this water is the Holy Spirit which will manifest as a well of water springing up into eternal life (John 4:10-14/John 7:37-39).
The key words that mark the Christmas season is love, generosity and kindness. The majority of people from all races, cultures and nations of the world who are not necessary Christians are more friendly, jovial and giving of their time, service and gifts in this season. In many places it is the only time of year neighbors actually talk to one another beyond a quick greeting.
Unknown to the non Christians they are exhibiting the generosity, love and kindness of their creator God, the same attributes which compelled Him to send Jesus Christ as Saviour (John 3:16) of the world. Mankind is created in the image of God and for those who have not reconciled with God through Jesus Christ yet there is always a “God void” within compelling them to search for Him, but alas many search in the wrong places and accept a god of man’s making, living futile lives indebted to Satan the prince of this world.
Jesus came to seek and save them, but he needs us.
Brothers and sisters let us remember how God lavished His love upon us and delivered us from the kingdom of darkness. God needs us in this season as always to go search for the lost and bring them to Him so that they too will “eat ..that which is good. If the unsaved world can show so much generosity, love and kindness in this season, how much more should we not do even more as according to our commission to service (Matthew 28:18-20) or call to be God’s witnesses through Christ.
As I have decided to do so myself I challenge you if you have not already to seek God for strategies in how to spread the Gospel effectively to your unsaved neighbors, colleagues and friends this Christmas time. Perhaps they have heard the Gospel before but you are the last person in a chain of people God has sent them through whom they would accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. It may be that they simply need to hear the Gospel for the first time and God has chosen you, so just think how privileged you are! Whether they accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour or not, at least you have done your part in obedience to God.
You are blessed, determine to stay blessed.
Deborah Esther
©Deborah E. Nyamekye 3/12/2015
Biblical Exhortations, Devotionals & Poetry 