Seek Ye The LORD

In chapter 53 we were taught about the person of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and how He represented, suffered and died for His people. In Ch. 54 we learned that Christ’s reward was His Bride and of the success and enlargement of the church of whom it had been said, in Ch. 52, ‘all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God’. In today’s passage we have the unfolding of Christ’s gifts to His church under the gospel call and the Lord’s encouragement to His people to partake, eat and be satisfied with His goodness.

How to holler!

The word ‘Ho’ is a public shout to gain attention, it carries a sense of pity, concern, even danger for those spoken to. In this, Isaiah’s ‘Ho’ suitably parallels the gospel-call. The gospel is spiritual food for hungry souls. We endeavour, as the Lord enables, to spread our message clearly and widely for the conviction of sin and the hearing of faith. Spiritually applied, God’s ‘Ho’ calls sinners to hear and partake of the word preached. Milk and wine, represent the body and blood of Christ by which quickened souls are fed and nourished.

Seeking a large audience

We do not preach only to a few special individuals. There is a fulness and a fitness in the call of the gospel intended to encourage all men and women to seek salvation in Jesus Christ. The only Saviour suitable for sinners is set before those in need with the sure and certain promise from Christ’s own lips, ‘he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst … All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.’

The true divine spark

There must be spiritual life before there can be spiritual hearing. There must be a new birth from above and conversion, otherwise, sinners lack ability and the heart-desire to respond to Christ’s welcoming words. Those who come by faith to Christ reveal themselves to be heirs of the everlasting covenant of grace and peace. The ‘sure mercies of David’ are covenant-promises made by God with Christ, and His people in Him, from eternity. David was shown these mercies for his comfort in his own lifetime, as are all believers in theirs.

Seek ye the Lord

The Lord Jesus Christ was appointed as a witness or testifier and Mediator in the covenant of peace. He leads and instructs His church. In this office the Lord’s work shall prosper. Nations will run to Him, even an unknown nation or a nation previously estranged from Christ. This is a picture of the elect of God, hidden in the Gentile world but now revealed through preaching the gospel and gathered for Christ’s glory. Sinners are called to seek the Lord in a timely fashion while He is near to save and deliver.

God’s ‘let’ is His command

All for whom Christ died, and for whom He stands as Surety, will flee to Him for salvation. Though wicked, they will seek pardon. Though unrighteous, they will desire holiness from the Lord. They will return to the Lord from whom they fell in Adam, seeking mercy according to His promise. What is impossible with man is possible with God. God’s ways and thoughts transcend our own. God’s word will not return void. Despite all appearances the gospel is accomplishing God’s pleasure and gathering and building up the church.

Our song of praise

Let no one doubt the success of our Saviour even in these days when genuine spiritual hunger and thirst seem rare. Let there be an air of victory in the song of the redeemed. With joy we leave behind the prison house of death. What appear to travellers to be obstacles on their journey, such as mountains and forests, will prove not to be hurdles at all. Even rough tracks will be pathways of praise on our way to glory. What we most dread will prove to be unfounded. Instead of a thorn there will be a fir tree; instead of a brier, a myrtle tree. In other words, even the troubles of life will be fir-oil scented and grant shade and fruit in due season.

Victory, glory and joy

Isaiah saw the victory of the Messiah and the glory of His church. He prophesied by divine revelation and told the remnant people of His age how the One True God in whom they trusted would come quickly to accomplish His saving purpose and do His good will. Doubt it not, God’s covenant people, old and new, will be eternally happy. They will be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting testimony that shall not be cut off.

Amen