Jesus said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you;” (Matthew 7:7). James warns us of struggling to have things, yet not having them because we do not ask God for them. He also warns about asking God for things and not receiving them because they are not the right things we should be having (James 4:1-3 cp. I John 5:14; 3:22). Solomon urges us to ask and seek for God’s wisdom, knowledge and understanding, as if it were silver and hidden treasure (Proverbs 2:1-6). Isaiah asks us, “Why do you spend money and labor for things that are unprofitable and do not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2).

The world is full of needs and wants. Things we need are legitimate things to desire. Things we want are sometimes confused as needs. Sometimes our desires are legitimate things. Sometimes they are not, but even legitimate needs are not the most important things in life. We are put on this earth to seek the Lord and receive things that are of eternal value. Most people are only trying to physically survive and prosper in the earthly realm. They may only have a faint hope of eternal bliss after death.

In John 6 Jesus did a notable miracle. He fed about five thousand people with only five barley loaves and two small fish (John 6:1-13). People responded by planning to start a political movement which would make Jesus a king. That was not our Lord’s plan. So, Jesus withdrew Himself and departed across the Sea of Galilee (John 6:14-21). The next day the people went looking for Jesus and found him in Capernaum. He warned them that seeking Him only for the security of having food was not the purpose of His miracles. People must seek him for the purpose of finding God and the gift of eternal life (John 6:22-29). As the discussion developed, Jesus revealed that He is the bread of life (John 6:30-35).

It is in this light that we now must approach Isaiah 55.

Isaiah 55:1-2
The best things in life are free, but they must be purchased with our time and attention.

Isaiah 55:3-5
The best things will feed the soul. In view of Isaiah 53, where the Messiah gives His life for His sheep, we find that “the sure mercies of David” are telling of Messiah’s resurrection, the forgiveness of sins through Him and His future kingdom. See Acts 13:26-39 cp Psalm2; 16:5-10

Isaiah 55:6-11
Now is always the time to seek the Lord (II Corinthians 6:2 cp. Hebrews 3:12-13; 4:7; James 4:14). We need to change our mind about the goals and desires of our life and surrender to the will of God which is revealed through His word. His word is like rain dropping down on the soil of our hearts. See Hosea 10:12.

Isaiah 55:12-13
When we seek the Lord, through Jesus Christ and the Gospel, we will find joy, peace and fruitfulness. See Psalm 1:1-3; John 15:1-8,16; Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 1:11; 4:13.