“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.” - Isaiah 55:2
Back in the 1970's, Peter Falk starred in a mystery series called, “Columbo.” In the series, Lt. Columbo wore a raggedy rain coat. He looked disheveled. His hair wasn't always combed correctly. To be honest, he always looked like a bum. He drove a very old beat-up French car that looked like it belonged in a metal heap.
In one particular episode, Columbo goes to a soup kitchen to interview a homeless man that may have been a witness to a murder. When Lt. Columbo entered the soup kitchen, a nun sees him and treats him like a homeless person. She gives him a meal (which he eats). She seeks to find a new coat for him. Even after he identifies himself as a policeman, she wrongly assumes he is working undercover. It is a humorous scene.
Sadly, there are many people in our world that do not have a meal to eat. They will go to bed hungry tonight. It is tragic that people are starving to death in some countries while we have food to spare here in America. As Christians, we should have a desire to see that this problem is solved.
The greatest need in our world is not physical hunger. It is spiritual hunger. Most people are starving spiritually. Even here in America, where churches are abundant, most of the people in our communities are in dire need of spiritual food. I think this is a need we should address today.
Spiritually, most people go to the garbage dump for their meal. They eat from the filthy, vile food of sin. It is garbage food. The poor and the rich alike are guilty of feasting daily at the garbage dumpster. That's all they know. They were brought up to eat rotten food. Their appetite has become accustomed to this kind of diet. Ultimately, this form of nourishment poisons the person and leaves them hungry and dying.
Isaiah 55:2 poses this question, “Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not?” The devil makes you pay for the food he offers. It looks good. It may even seem good at first, but the end result is deadly. Moses realized that the pleasures of sin were just for a season. Many destitute souls need to be awakened to the fact that the devil is robbing them blind. He is making them pay for food that is deceitful, dangerous and never satisfies.
Are you tired of living in the gutter? Are you tired of being a slave to alcohol, drugs or immorality? I think it is time for people to wake up to the fact that the devil has deceived them into eating the garbage food of sin. It is time for folks to realize that their lives are wasting away with nothing to show but sinful indulgences. Many need to awaken to the fact that they are hungry and dying, O, that people would respond like four lepers of 2 Kings chapter 7. They we dying of hunger. With dissatisfaction and desperation, the lepers cried out, “why sit we here until we die?” They left behind their destitution and found the food they yearned for. May you do the same!!
There is a place where the hungry are fed. The same One who fed thousands with just five loaves and two fishes is in charge of the menu. He invites everyone to come and feast at His table. The good news is that He never charges. In fact, your money is not welcome there. Leave your checkbook behind. No credit card is accepted. Your meal has already been paid for. Simply come and feast on the good meal He provides.
Isaiah 55:2 continues to say, “... hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.” The Lord feeds hungry souls.
The Lord invites you to come and feast at His table. Many people refuse to come because they are embarrassed to come publicly to Jesus. They are ashamed to enter the Lord's house and feast at His table. Pride ruins many people. Why let your pride rob you of life-giving food? It is better to be an humble servant that is well fed & happy than to be a proud king that is starving to death.
Leave your pride behind. In fact, leave everything behind. Leave the garbage dump and come to the Lord's banquet table. Simply bring yourself and your appetite to Jesus. Feast on the Bread of Life. Drink from the Living Water.
There is a place where the hungry are fed. The Master's table is spread with heavenly manna. No one has ever been turned away. Neither has any soul come to His table and left hungry.
Come
and feast at the place where the hungry are fed.
