A universal offer

Rhona Cathcart March 13, 2026 0 0

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Isaiah 55:1 (NIV-UK)

1 

‘Come, all you who are thirsty,
    come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without cost.

I mentioned earlier this week that one of the things I have learned to do via my Farsi language app is haggle for prices. This involves phrases like: ‘how much?’, ’that’s too expensive!’, ’I don’t have that amount of money with me’, and ‘how about…’ followed by a few numbers.

God’s offer, through the prophet Isaiah, eliminates the need for such haggling. Wine and milk are available even to those without money. And of course water is free. 

And yet water isn’t exactly free. At least not clean, fresh, safe, accessible water. Not all the time and not for everyone. In spite of the fact that it literally falls from the sky, there are times and places in the world where water is scarce. In such times and places water becomes a commodity, something to be controlled, rationed, bought and sold.

The charity WaterAid is dedicated to providing clean water, along with decent toilets and good hygiene wherever they can. They see this as the foundation for good health, dignity and a life full of opportunity. Supporting charities like this is one way we can practically, and literally, make sure God’s generosity reaches others. 

We can also research and challenge, support or protest how our own water is distributed or used. Are the right people held accountable for its cleanliness? Do our political leaders know what we feel about the demands certain businesses make on our water supply? Are effective policies in place to ensure that our burns, rivers, lakes, seas and oceans flourish as healthy watering places where we can listen and live? 

Isaiah may have been speaking metaphorically, but he chose a metaphor with real resonance in a world where market forces often control and direct natural resources. 

God’s generosity is not for sale. It is free. As fresh, clean water for all should and must be.

Prayer:

Lord, wherever your call is blocked or restricted

By geography, by politics, by war, by commerce

May we be water bringers and carriers 

That all may come to the waters, and be free. Amen