When you are discouraged where do you look for encouragement? The short, dark days of winter are difficult. World news is overwhelmingly bad news. There is trouble everywhere and world leaders don’t seem to know what to do. The lives of many people are desperately sad.

Reading the Bible lifts our spirits, but it’s a big book and it’s not easy to know where to start reading. Chapter 55 of the book of the prophet Isaiah has much to encourage us. Isaiah was writing to people who were under God’s judgement because of their sins and who would be captive in a foreign land for 70 years. God tells Isaiah to give the people a message of hope and tell them of his promises for their future.

God’s first word to the people is “Come!” – “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. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy?” We come to God when we speak to him in prayer and pour out our hearts to him. He hears our prayers and satisfies our deepest longings.

God’s second word is “Listen!” – “Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life.” We listen to God when we read his Word in the Bible and take it to heart. His words are life-giving. We can trust him with all our heart.

God’s third word is “Seek!” – “Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.” Our biggest problem is ourselves – we need to change. Our thoughts, words and actions are all tainted by our sinfulness. At times when God draws near, we can find comfort in his promise of forgiveness which is full and free.

God also gives the people a wonderful promise: “You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.” God is going to bring joy to the whole of his creation and to people from every nation.