God’s Merciful Invitation (Isaiah 55:1-13)

• 55:1-5 – The invitation extended
  • To everyone (Revelation 22:17)
  • Salvation cannot be earned (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9)
  • “He who dies with the most toys wins?” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
  • Action required: incline, come, hear
  • “The sure mercies of David” (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Acts 13:34-39)
  • Christ is the faithful witness (Revelation 1:5; John 18:37)
• 55:6-9 – Accepting the invitation
  • Action required: seek, call, forsake, return
  • Seek (Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 11:6)
  • Repentance: forsake wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts, and return to the Lord (Proverbs 23:7; Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:8)
  • Abundant forgiveness (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 1 John 1:9; Psalm 103:12; Micah 7:19)
  • Contrast between man’s thoughts and ways and God’s
• 55:10-13 – The purpose of God’s Word
  • Rain and snow serves physical purpose
  • God’s Word serves spiritual purpose
  • “The pen is mightier than the sword” (Hebrews 4:12-13; John 6:63; 1 Peter 1:22-25; James 1:18,21)
  • “Jesus does not offer us the peace of the world. Peace is not the absence of alarm, but the presence of God in our lives.” (Michael Hatcher)

Discussion Questions

1. How abundant is God’s mercy?

2. What are “the sure mercies of David”?

3. In order to be forgiven, what must the sinner do?

4. What is the contrast between man’s ways and thoughts and the Lord’s?

5. What does He mean when God says His Word “shall not return to me void”?