Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 51 NLV, Ch. 52-55 NCV

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Thoughts

Let’s go back to chapter 55, shall we? To whom was this chapter written? Do you remember? Verse one tells us: The Lord says, “All you who are thirsty,…

ALL who are thirsty. No one is left out. Every person who is thirsty is invited to come and drink. Doesn’t every person experience thirst? Of course. And God, He of infinite mercy, is the supplier of water that refreshes and gives everlasting life.

He says, “Come to me and listen; listen to me so you may live.” Is your faith weak? Do you have doubt? Let me remind you that Romans 10:17 says that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of God.” You need more faith? Then listen to the Word of God. As you listen, your faith grows. And it is faith in Jesus that brings life.

“But Steve,” you say. “That seems too easy. I know what I’ve done in my life, and I know that I have not been a good person. How can just believing be enough? Surely I have to do something to pay for the things I’ve done.”

Well did you hear what the Lord said in verse 8 of chapter 55? He said, “My thoughts are not like your thoughts. Your ways are not like my ways. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

Trying to make sense out of God’s provision is a fool’s errand. All we can do is accept it and be thankful for it.

As far as paying for our bad deeds, let’s look again at the first verse. God says, “Those of you who do not have money, come, buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”

You can’t buy forgiveness with money or with deeds. If you could, you couldn’t afford it, anyway.

Make no mistake, there was a cost, but it was borne by Jesus, because He was the only One who could pay it. And now He offers the forgiveness He bought with His blood, to you.

Verse 12 of our chapter says, “So you will go out with joy and be led out in peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees in the fields will clap their hands.”

If you are tired of the fighting and strife that is all around us, if the ugliness has worked its way into your heart and your mind, if you want the joy and the peace of God, it can be yours right now, for free, if you’ll just put your faith in this God who loves you and who gave His life for you.

Will you do it? Today is the day. Do it now.