From: September 12, 2024
“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them” (Isaiah 11:6 ESV).
The world will not stay as it is. A remaking is around the corner. Isaiah prophesied of a day of peace and tranquility when the Messiah shall return and reign over all creation. Even though now, as the apostle Paul writes, “the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth” (Rom. 8:22). There is coming a day when this groaning will be overcome by glory.
There have been foreshadowings of this Messianic Age. For Jesus is the “Shoot” that came forth from the “stump of Jesse” (Isa. 11:1). For although the throne of David, whose father was Jesse, would be cut off, out of that family line, the Messiah Jesus would be born. This Jesus demonstrated His authority over all creation. As a little boy, He stumped the teachers in the temple. And as a man, He commanded the wind and the waves to be still and the fish of the sea to fill a net and pick up a coin to help pay Caesar’s tax.
Yet a Day is coming when Jesus Christ will return and fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy. And in that Day, “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isa. 11:9).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we groan along with creation for that Day when Christ returns. Yet we groan with hope and eager anticipation, knowing with confidence that what You have promised, You will fulfill. Until then, strengthen us to declare the Good News of Your Son to the whole world. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: September 12, 2023
“But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalm 56:3-4 NLT).
David knew what to do when he felt afraid. He had already decided in advance that when fear came, he would replace it with faith in God. When he felt afraid, he recalled God’s Word and praised God for it. When he felt afraid, he compared the size of his problem to the size of His God and shouted, “What can man do to me?”
We often seek to cope with our fear by denying it or running from it. But fear can be a helpful indicator to the believer. For it shows that we are facing something greater than ourselves, something beyond our control, something that could bring failure or harm to us. Fear, in this sense, is an opportunity for faith. It reveals to us that we have forgotten God, or that we have made Him too small in our thinking.
Take your fears to God. Name them to Him in prayer. Read His Word and see what He has to say about Your fears. Make a decision to have faith rather than fear. Following Christ does not mean that we will not ever be afraid. In fact, following Him often means that we will face fear more than ever before, as He leads us and stretches us beyond our comfort. Yet, following Him, we learn to trust rather than tremble.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are Your children and we are learning to overcome our fears by putting our faith in You. Today, we name those things that cause us fear and anxiety. We give them to You. Now we choose to walk by faith, knowing that You are able to make us stand. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: September 12, 2022
ISAIAH’S PROPHECY CONFIRMED IN CHRIST JESUS
Isaiah prophesied God’s coming judgment on Israel and Judah. Yet, he also prophesied that though the tree of David’s throne would be chopped down, leaving only a “stump,” a “shoot” would grow out of it. This shoot would grow into a “new Branch,” which is Christ, the Son of David, the Son of God. Isaiah prophesied that this “Branch” would become the “Banner of Salvation” to all the world (Isa. 11:10).
Indeed, Christ is the Branch that bears fruit. For we that have believed in Christ have been grafted into this tree. As the apostle Paul said, “And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree” (Rom. 11:17).
God has confirmed the word of prophecy He gave through Isaiah in Christ Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being a promise-making and a promise-keeping God. For You have kept every promise You have made. We especially thank You for the promised Branch, King Jesus. For without Him we would not be saved, nor able to have access to You as Your children. Yet, through Christ we have received all things. Lord, we now depend on Your promises for this day. Strengthen and guide us by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: September 12, 2017
Isaiah foresaw a day when a “Root of Jesse,” would come as Messiah. Jesse was King David’s father. And the “Root” is Jesus Christ. A root is the hidden source of life to a plant. In like manner, Jesus is both the preincarnate Son of God who is the source of all life, but also the One who became human, born into the line of Jesse, to be the Redeemer of life. God revealed to Isaiah that this “Root” would become a “banner” drawing all people, Jew and Gentile alike, to Him for rest. Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy. As He said, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32).
From: September 12, 2016
More than a motto on our money, this is a declaration of faith. Trust in God above all others. Written by the one who slew Goliath, it is not hyperbole, but a tested conclusion, i.e. “since God is greater than man (even giant ones), I will not fear man, because I trust in God.” Wherever there is fear, especially fear of man, there is lack of faith.
From: September 12, 2015
More than a motto to put on our money, this is a declaration of faith. Trust in God above all others. Written by the one who slew Goliath, it is not hyperbole, but a tested conclusion, i.e. “since God is greater than man (even giant ones), I will not fear man, because I trust in God.” Wherever there is fear, especially fear of man, there is lack of faith.