tHIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
READING:
Isaiah 55:1-9
An invitation to abundance
in a World of Scarcity
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;
and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!”Isaiah 55:1
This must be one of the most beautiful and hope-filled readings in the Old Testament. I wonder how you felt when it was read? Did it speak to you in any way? Did you hear in the text an invitation from a generous God—an extravagant, open-hearted offer to receive the abundance of God’s grace and love?
The words speak of water for the thirsty, food for the hungry, and life for those who seek it. It is full of promise—overflowing with the generosity of God. These are hopeful and wonderful words.
And yet, when we look around at the world today, or listen to the news, these words might seem distant and disconnected from our experience. You might even be hearing these words from a challenging personal place—perhaps struggling with poverty, emotionally drained, or spiritually dry.
But these words are for all people, in all places, at all times.
They are not reserved for a privileged few.
They speak across cultures, across borders, and across struggles.
The Reality of Uncertainty
I don’t know what concerns you have brought with you to worship today, but I imagine many of us feel that we are living through times of deep uncertainty. Some people even say they feel anxious about switching on the morning news. Wars rage. Economies falter. The planet groans under the weight of human consumption. Many feel exhausted by the relentless demands of life. And into this world of worry and struggle, the voice of God calls out through the prophet Isaiah:
“Come, all you who are thirsty… Listen, that you may live.”
A Message of Hope to People in Exile
The original text was written to people in exile. Israel had been conquered, its cities destroyed, its people dragged away into Babylon. They were far from home, uncertain about their future, feeling abandoned and powerless. And yet, into this pain, Isaiah speaks words of hope.
Perhaps the people of that time understood the invitation not just as a promise of literal food and water—but as a spiritual call to trust that God was still with them, even in their suffering. It was a reminder to dream of what truly matters. A reminder that true contentment is not found in wealth, security, or control but in God alone:
“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy?”
A Radical Message for 2025
The prophet’s words were radical then, and they are just as radical today. We live in a world that encourages us to seek satisfaction in all the unhelpful places and ways. We pour ourselves into careers, accumulating possessions, chasing after success. Yet we often find ourselves still longing for peace, meaning, and fulfilment. Media advertisements promise much but deliver little. Many of us live with a constant feeling of restlessness, exhaustion, and discontent. And into this striving, God still speaks:
“Come to me. Listen, that you may live.”
A World Obsessed with More
Many of the struggles we face as a society stem from our collective desire for more wealth, more power, more status. Nations hoard resources while others go without. Governments prioritise economic growth over social justice. Inequality widens as the rich get richer and the poor struggle to survive.
And yet, our Christian faith calls us to something different. The Bible challenges the mindset of greed and self-interest. It reminds us that all people are made in the image of God. It calls us to share, not to hoard.
God’s Radical Generosity
“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
God’s mercy is bigger than ours. His love extends further than we can imagine. And as his people, we are called to reflect that generosity—to be a Church that offers welcome without conditions, love without limits, hope without hesitation.
The Challenge of Withdrawing Aid
This passage also challenges the economic and political decisions being made in our world today.
When nations withdraw overseas aid budgets, often citing financial constraints, they act from a mindset of scarcity rather than generosity. Yet, Isaiah 55 offers a different vision—a vision of a world where those who are thirsty receive water freely, where no one is excluded from God’s abundance. In God’s economy, there is always enough.
A Call to Action for Christians
For us Christians, this is more than just a nice reading—it is a call to action. Jesus teaches that true faith is lived out in care for the poor and vulnerable (Matthew 25:35-40). Rather than accepting these injustices passively, we are called to: Pray for a more just and compassionate world. To support charities that fill the gap left by government cuts . To campaign for fairer policies that prioritise human dignity over profit. To remind the leaders of our countries that true prosperity is not measured by wealth retained, but by generosity extended to others
What Will You Do?
This is not just a message for nations, it is a message for each of us. How can we reflect God’s radical generosity in our daily lives? Can we be more generous with our time, talents, or finances? Can we be more hospitable to those who are struggling? Can we be more vocal in challenging injustice?
A Hope-Filled Reading for a Hope-Filled World
Isaiah 55 invites us to live differently—to trust in God’s provision rather than human scarcity. To share what we have rather than fear we will run out. To be people of hope, generosity, and justice.
This is the HeartEdge vision—a vision of faith that is generous, outward-facing, and deeply engaged with the world. So, as we leave today, let’s not just hear this reading—let’s live it.
What will you do this week to respond to God’s call?
