At that time a root from Jesse will stand like a signal flag for the nations. Nations will look to him for guidance, and his residence will be majestic.
Isaiah 11:10 NET
Observations: The Root of Jesse and a signal flag
The root from Jesse represents the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He is the shoot, the bud, the root out of the stump of Jesse. (See verse 1 and Acts 13:22-23).
The Root, our Messiah, would be a banner or a “signal flag for the nations”.
He will be one who stands out and is sought after. (see: Luke 2:32; John 3:14-15, 12:32: Romans 15:12; and Revelation 5:5)
Application: How then should we live?
There are probably many more, but the applications that came to mind were –
Celebrate the birth, the life, and the death of Jesus, who came from the stump of Jesse.
Wait with confident expectation knowing that He will one day come again. In this we can trust and rejoice.
Keep the celebration for His first coming flowing and the anticipation growing for His second coming by staying grounded, rooted, and fixed on Him. This means faithfully dwelling in and living out His Word. Remember, it is living and active, a light to our feet, a weapon against sin and discouragement as we wait, and it is the power of God that leads to the salvation of all who believe!
Prayer: Response to God’s Word
Father, how great You are! Jesus what a beautiful gift You are, a signal flag of HOPE, assurance, and guidance as we wait for Your return. Holy Spirit, who rested upon Jesus and now lives in us, You fill us with POWER and HOPE as we wait for what is to come; and You stir us to celebrate and rejoice as we remember Bethlehem and the gift, Your gift, of the baby in the manger. Strengthen us as we wait, keep us faithfully living and loving like Jesus, and use us as salt and light in this dark world. Blessed be the name of the Lord, the God who restores! Thank You in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior – Amen!
I have often quoted and/or prayed the first words of this passage, “I was glad because they said to me, ‘We will go to the [House] of the Lord.'” Yet, in all honesty, I confess the rest of this passage is unfamiliar to me or at least does not jump out to me as often read or ever studied. Take time to soak up all nine verses, they are beautiful and have a message of hope for all who belong to God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Read it, listen to the building excitement in David’s words in this “Psalm of Ascent”1, a call to worship, sang as the people of Israel traveled to Jerusalem. His obvious love for simply being in the city – comes out in the second verse when he declares: “Our feet are standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem.” Be careful not to miss how he focuses on the features of the city. He’s caught up with the temple (House of God) (v1,5,9), the gates (v2), the thrones (v5), the walls (defenses) (v7), and fortresses (v7). They have an affect on his life and he believes, as his words reveal, on all who are inside the city.
All of this leads to a prayer for Jerusalem, a concern for her, and the people and the leaders within, to know peace inside her walls and to rest in the security of such a great fortress. He prays this not just because he loves the temple-city of His God but, as he says, for the sake, or the concern, for his brothers and neighbors – not only that they would know peace but that there would be no contention among them that would destroy the city or distract them from being in the temple of their God; and the concern seems equally spent on “seeking Jerusalem’s good through prayer”2 I love this imagery, the people having an effect on the House of God – where they dwell, where they gather to worship, and where legal decisions are made; but also the House of God – and all that goes on or is within her, from the gates to the thrones and the security she provides – having an effect on the people. In other words we affect the ‘church’ and the ‘church’ affects us.
Application: So what’s it all mean?
As is clearly stated, Jerusalem was a place meant for God’s people to gather, to worship, and to make legal decisions. The “tribes”3 of families go “up” to Jerusalem, where they are required to give thanks (v4) to the name of the LORD, their God.
As I read through this part of the passage, I landed on the people being ‘required to give thanks to the name of the LORD and realized another beautiful truth to apply here – while we may no longer live under the requirements of the law – if thanksgiving was important to God then, and clearly it was – would it not also be important to Him now? After all, we live under the freedom of His grace, (Rom 6:14-15), which He lavished on us through the life, death, and resurrection of His only begotten Son, (Eph 1:3-8).
As for the application of our focus verses (8-9), we have already noted: the Psalmist prays acknowledging his desire/concern for his brothers and friends to enjoy peace within the walls of Jerusalem and then for the good of the “temple of God” to prosper or do good. It seems to me that David is seeking the welfare of both the local and the corporate aspects of God’s people – which I believe is a good indication that we, as a community of faith, both locally and globally, should share this same focus and purpose in prayer – a focus so intent on being in the Presence of God that we seek the good of the church and its people.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May those who love her prosper. 7 May there be peace inside your defenses, and prosperity inside your fortresses. 8 For the sake of my brothers and my neighbors I will say, “May there be peace in you.” 9 For the sake of the temple of the Lord our God I will pray for you to prosper.
Psalm 122:6-9
Prayer: Response to God’s Word
Father, how good you were to place Your people within “tribes” – developing families of nations and ultimately, the community of faith/church – Your people both locally and globally. Help us/me, like David, to faithfully seek peace and [good] for Your people and for the good of Your [House]. May we be glorifying and honoring influencers in the church, and may its influence leave a lasting impression on us that is a light to all we come in contact with. may I/we always enter with thanksgiving, not because we are required to but because we realize the blessing, privilege, and power that are ours because we belong to You. In the name and power of Jesus, so let it be!
1Love God Greatly from the God who restores, devotion-Day 2 (p. 38)
2FOOTNOTE on verse 9, from HCSB study Bible: tn Heb “I will seek good for you.” The psalmist will seek Jerusalem’s “good” through prayer.
3″Tribes” is a reference to the 12 tribes of Israel. The twelve tribes of Israel came from the twelve sons of Israel. “Israel” is the name that God gave Jacob (Genesis 32:28). His twelve sons are Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin (Genesis 35:23-26; Exodus 1:1–4; 1 Chronicles 2:1–2). When the tribes inherited the Promised Land, Levi’s descendants did not receive a territory for themselves (Joshua 13:14). Instead, they became priests and had several cities scattered throughout all of Israel. Joseph’s tribe was divided in two—Jacob had adopted Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, essentially giving Joseph a double portion for his faithfulness in saving the family from famine (Genesis 47:11–12). This means the tribes who received territory in the Promised Land were Reuben, Simeon, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh. In some places in Scripture, the tribe of Ephraim is referred to as the tribe of Joseph (Numbers 1:32–33).– https://www.gotquestions.org/twelve-tribes-Israel.html
Your Turn: Reflections
Why/how are you praying for peace, prosperity, and security for God’s people today?
Observation: A prophecy about Israel’s future and ours
God gave Isaiah a message about Judah and Jerusalem. Isaiah’s words would have been questionable at best and totally unbelievable at worst in the minds of his listeners – who had been warned of exile and destruction if they did not repent of their idolatrous ways. His words were nonetheless true and coming. Yes, the words were given to a nation about to go into exile because of their idolatrous ways – but Isaiah points them to a better day of hope and restoration.
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,and they shall call his name Immanuel”
Matthew was connecting Jesus [Immanuel, God with us] to the prophecy of Isaiah in Isaiah 7:14, where he said:
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Whether this prophecy of Isaiah is solely referring to the birth of Jesus is debatable among scholars but clearly God’s inspired word through Matthew attributes truth to this understanding.
While we look forward to the second coming of Christ, the people of Judah were given hope and would have been looking forward to the first coming – the first Advent – the coming of the Messiah.
Application: What can we learn from this?
Clearly Isaiah is giving hope but he is also giving them an instruction to not wait to follow the LORD but to live in His ways now. They would enjoy peace “now” if they submitted to Him and faithfully walked in His ways. The same is true for us in this world of chaos and idolatry that seems to hold no hope and demands us to wait – on what at times can appear to be an unbelievable promise – but is nonetheless the hope of our faith.
I love this quote from the LGG devotional and I think it best sums up for us what Isaiah was telling the people then – and can still speak hope to us today:
“That is the character of our God. No matter what we have done or how we (personally and corporately) have turned against Him, He is the God who restores. He sent His Son as the redeemer of our souls. He is the hope we have, the promise of restoration. When we walk in His guiding light,we see the future hope we have in Him.”
LGG Devotion, day 1 of 2022 Advent, The God who Restores
Prayer: Response to God’s Word
Father, while this is a message for the tribe of Judah in the days of Isaiah, Your prophet – I thank you for the hope it brings to all nations. For by faith, those who have believed in Your only begotten Son, will be among those who dwell in Your Kingdom. Blessed be Your glorious and gracious name! In the Name of the One in whom I have placed my hope and faith – Amen.
Your Turn: Reflections on the Word Read
Even though God promised to judge His people for their sin, He offered a glimpse into the future glory of Jerusalem.
What does this reveal about His character?
What does this mean about us, in our season of waiting?
(I invite you to share your thoughts/answers in the comment section …. If you do not know Jesus as your Savior please message me and let me share with you the greatest gift you will ever receive.)
THE FOLLOWING ARE EXCERPTS FROM ANN VOSKAMP’S ONE THOUSAND GIFTS
There is a way to live the big of giving thanks in all things. It is this: to give thanks in this one small thing.The moments will add up
If gratitude is an antidote for anxiety… and giving thanks is a real cure for stress— why relegate thanksgiving to a holiday *when giving thanks can revolutionize our whole lives?*
So I just keep doing this, recording the gifts, gather the moments of His grace like manna.
Because joy is always a function of gratitude — and gratitude is always a function of perspective. – And if we are going to change our lives, we’re going to have to change the way we see.
This recording our gratitudes, this looking for blessings everywhere, this counting of gifts — this is what changes what we are looking for. *This is what changes our perspective.*
Thanksgiving is the lens God means for us to see joy all year round.
Because Thanksgiving is more than holiday—
So wherever you are, count your blessings, collect gifts, count it all joy.
Because it’s the brave who focus on all things good and all things beautiful, who give thanks for it & discover joy even in the here and now —- they are the change agents who bring fullest Light to all the world.
YOUR TURN: WHAT GOOD AND BEAUTIFUL THINGS ARE YOU FOCUSING ON TODAY? WHAT JOYS CAN YOU GIVE THANKS FOR AND BRING LIGHT TO THE WORLD AROUND YOU?
Paul has laid out three distinct steps for the believers – rejoice, pray, and “in everything” give thanks. Don’t miss his conclusion though – this isn’t just a teaching that he thinks is important, he clarifies that this is God’s will for us [believers], in Christ Jesus.
YOUR TURN: (IF YOU MISSED YESTERDAY’S POST YOU WILL WANT TO GO BACK AND READ IT) – SO, IN LIGHT OF YESTERDAY’S POST, WHY DO YOU THINK PAUL’S INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDE REJOICING AND PRAYING BEFORE HE SAYS GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES?
A simple but thought provoking definition of gratitude. Give it some thought – it will be useful with tomorrow’s post. Until then make it a blessing to someone today by expressing gratitude or kindness to them – It might just be the spark they need.
Totally dated/outdated song but still as true today as it was when we/I sang it in the 70s –
According to Paul, true thankfulness seems to overflow, not from the circumstances of our life, but from the FAITH we have been taught and placed in CHRIST. When we allow that faith to grow and deepen “into Him” then it becomes unshakable and thankfulness abounds in spite of life’s circumstances. –
MefromtheNsideout –
YOUR TURN: HOW CAN YOU LET THE ROOTS OF YOUR FAITH GROW DEEP INTO JESUS? I invite you to share your answer in the comment bar
“God is good!” We say it all the time, right? Well, we say it a lot – especially when things are going well – right? Admittedly, it is easier to say when things are going our way – but we may need to let the truth of this quote by Ann Voskamp sink in and stir our hearts to praise Him even when life doesn’t seem “good”. Here’s a recent example in my own life … as we waited for the ambulance to come the evening mom fell and broke her femur – in the midst of all the other thoughts going through my mind came this one thought – God thank you that she had her phone with her this time! It was a conversation she and I had had many times because she never kept it with her or knew where it was … but on this late afternoon, when I was out for the evening and most likely wouldn’t have checked on her until much later – she had it with her and I found myself saying over and over – in the midst of the trauma that was unfolding … in the middle of all the unknown that was ahead of us – God you are so good to have had her phone with her… and that one praise led to a host of others. You are so good to have given us friends/family that could get to her quicker than we could … You are so good to have kept her from hitting her head, just inches from a massive table leg that would have surely done damage … You are so good to have kept the spinal injury from being more serious … The ‘declaration’ became a saving grace as we waited out that long night in the ER …
YOUR TURN – HOW HAVE YOU SEEN HIS GOODNESS IN THE MIDST OF THE NOT SO GOOD? Feel free to share your response in the comment bar
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NET
Observations and Application of the Great Commission:
Much like Paul gave Timothy his ‘charge’ or particular ‘ministry’ to do, Jesus gives His disciples a charge to carry out. He actually tasks them with much the same thing – the work of an evangelist, which is to spread the Gospel message. Like Timothy, we are to do the work of an evangelist, spreading the news that Jesus saves, discipling others, encouraging new believers to follow the Lord in baptism, and to obey everything that Christ commanded. We would also do well to remember to encourage others that Jesus is with us, even to the end of the age.
Prayer: Response to God’s Word
Father, You are good and Christ was good to walk with and transform the lives of so many disciples who followed Him. You continue to disciple and train us up today by Your Word and people. May we be faithful to Your commission, whether it is convenient or not – to be ready with an answer for the hope that is within us. Show us how to reach those here and in other countries. And as we go, open hearts and minds to the message of the cross and of our Christ!
You, however, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist’s work, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5 NET
Observations of Timothy’s Ministry:
Paul has outlined Timothy’s ministry for him, making sure Timothy understands the importance of what God has called him to do.
Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction. (v2)
Paul makes sure Timothy knows that people will be harder to reach and some will need to be pulled back toward the truth.
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths. (v3-4)
Timothy is then encouraged to stay faithful to his ministry, regardless of others turning away from the truth or even the temptation to turn away himself. (v5) He would need to …
be self-controlled
endure hardships
be faithful to spread the Gospel
fulfill what God had called him to do
Application: So What Does This Mean For Us?
Often when applying the Scriptures we have to see how a message to those in the New Testament church relates to us in the 21st century – but I believe this is one that applies across the centuries. Certainly we are living in a time like Paul described, where people no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They follow their own desires and look for teachers who tell them whatever they want to hear. They reject the truth and chase after myths. So as disciples of Christ, called to go and share the Gospel message and to make other disciples as we go, it seems we need the very same instructions Paul gave to Timothy. We must …
be self-controlled
endure hardships
be faithful to spread the Gospel
fulfill what God has called us to do
Prayer: Response to God’s Word
Father, help us to be faithful to Your calling on our lives. Let us not neglect sharing the Gospel message nor all that we might need to do and say to help others NOT fall away. And please guard us from turning away ourselves. Instead, help us to endure hardships, to be self-controlled and alert, remembering our enemy – the devil – prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Help us to be ready with the message whether it is inconvenient or not – and help us to be patient with those who need to be reached. May we boldly follow Jesus’ example and serve You as You lead. – In Jesus’ name I pray – amen!
Reflections: Your turn
What is the mission God has called you to? What do you need to do to fulfill this mission?
Me From the Inside Out 