Thursday
What good news is there that Isaiah wants to share?
Isaiah is foretelling of a hope that will come to Israel. In a time when the world is shrouded in darkness, the darkness of pride and arrogance the darkness of apathy, we are told there is a Light of Hope. That hope is the promise of the coming Messiah… Emmanuel… God with us. Isaiah tells us that our faith in God is the greatest gift we can have during times of overwhelming troubles. It is faith that will carry us through the dark nights, it is faith that gives us something to hope for. This passage of scripture, found in Chapter 9 is quoted in the New Testament by Matthew as he tells of the birth of Jesus. This is the message that God wanted the Old Testament people to hear, it is the message He wants us to hear. Who do we put our trust in? Who do we rely upon? Isaiah 10:20 says “In that day the remnant of Israel, the survivors of the house of Jacob, will no longer rely on him who struck them down, but will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.” God’s punishment is not to destroy His chosen people, but to remind them (and us) of who He is; a jealous God that wants our full attention. Chapter 11 talks again about the coming Messiah, about Jesus. The shoot that comes from the stump of Jesse is Jesus and He will judge the world with righteousness. His word will be written on our hearts, and we will know the truth and as chapter 12 tells us – our hearts will sing for joy, vss 2-3 “Surely God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” I hope that you will draw from this well of living water. (John 4:10)
Shalom
Pastor Kathy