Verse of the Day 12/10

 

Isaiah 11:1-2 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
    and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.

² 

And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
    the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and might,
    the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

At our first house there had been a pear tree which had been planted by my grandfather which had to be cut down.  But out of that stump a shoot grew and it became another full sized tree which bore fruit.  My kids, my grandfather's great grandchildren enjoyed the fruit (through my wife's pear pies) of that tree all the years that we lived there.  When we moved I planted a seedling pear tree at our new home.  It was on the corner of the lot and somehow it got run over, it had to be cut down.  But once again a shoot came from the stump.  The tree is still there and hopefully someone will be enjoying the fruit.

 

Whenever I read today's verses I think of those trees.  I also think of Jesus, the root, the author and finisher of our faith.  There may be times where circumstances in our lives may cut us down, cause us to question our faith to the point where it is only a remnant of what it was.  But we can take heart.  Out of a small root or a mustard sized seed of faith, true faith can return, grow, and flourish, producing fruit into future generations.

 

This Christmas season, some perhaps many will find themselves in this position of having and showing little visible faith.  Perhaps it will be the wonder of a child, the simple joy, the hope of what is to come on Christmas morning that will revive their spirit.

 

In verse two some commentators point to the three persons of the Trinity in the verse.  The Spirit, the Lord, and him - Jesus.  If you are in need of a restoration of your faith this season, may the "Spirit hover over you bringing wisdom, understanding, direction and strength" (The Message) in your life to produce fruit into future generations.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Isaiah 11:1

The Message (MSG)

A Green Shoot from Jesse's Stump

^1-5 A green Shoot will sprout from Jesse's stump,
    from his roots a budding Branch.
The life-giving Spirit of God will hover over him,
    the Spirit that brings wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit that gives direction and builds strength,
    the Spirit that instills knowledge and Fear-of-God.
Fear-of-God
    will be all his joy and delight.
He won't judge by appearances,
    won't decide on the basis of hearsay.
He'll judge the needy by what is right,
    render decisions on earth's poor with justice.
His words will bring everyone to awed attention.
    A mere breath from his lips will topple the wicked.
Each morning he'll pull on sturdy work clothes and boots,
    and build righteousness and faithfulness in the land.