Click to Enlarge

Are you invited? It is true, that Jesus said, "Whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life," but are all invited? This is an interesting question that I am sure has already caused some of you to raise your eyebrows.

Hear the words of our Lord, "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, 'If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water' " (John 7:37-38).

So, are you invited? Are you thirsty, or are you satisfied with your present state? Does the image in the mirror give you a sense of satisfaction? It is the hungry and thirsty that shall be filled, and them He has called, as He said, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Are you comfortable here in "the Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave," or do you seek a country, a heavenly country, and you won't feel at home anywhere but there? Are you happy just walking down the pleasant road of life, or do you strive to enter in at the straight gate?

As the Book of Revelation draws to a close, we are told, "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come' " (Rev. 22:17). If we were to stop there, we would come away believing that this is an open invitation. But as we read on, it says, "And let him that heareth say, 'Come.' " You see, one cannot hear, except he first listen, and many are not listening. Are you listening? Are you ignoring prompts by the Holy Ghost to change your lifestyle to please God? If you are not . . .

Then He says, "And let him that is athirst come." Are you thirsty? Do you feel like a nomad in the desert searching for an oasis, for relief in your spirit that only the Lord Jesus can fill? Do you seek Him early, and meditate on His word until the wee hours?

It is they, to whom he says, "And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely."

Jesus said, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:10,14).

If you are listening; if you are thirsty; if you are seeking a country, a home that is not of this world; Give thanks to the Lord, because those feelings are a gift from God, for he hath mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

Do you feel a burden? Do you struggle with the unrighteousness that surrounds you? Then you are invited. Jesus' words call out even now to you, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matt. 11:28-29).

This Thanksgiving, remember that we came to God, not because of our goodness, but because, by His grace, He hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light.

Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift. Amen.

David M. McNabb
Editor & Bible Guy