road2answers

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

For Such a Time as This

God is our provider. He is our sustainer and guide through life, and yet I have never heard His audible voice. I have never seen Him. However, I see His hand in all that He has made. I hear His voice but only in the silence of my own heart.

God seems silent and distant during some seasons of life. Yet, in retrospect, some of the silent seasons were the times when He was most present.

At times, we question if God is present at all.

Where was God when . . .?

Perhaps you, like me, have been angry with God at times.

The story of Esther is a good place to look to gain understanding.

The book of Esther does not talk about God. Like in our lives, God is invisible, but He is invincible. His sovereign control is clear throughout the story of Esther and in our lives. His hand is visible in all that happens. As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we can take courage in God’s sovereign control in all that happens.

Esther 1:1 tells us, “These events happened in the days of King Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia.”[i]

The Hebrew name for Xerxes was “Ahasuerus.”[ii] Xerxes reigned from 486 to 465 B.C.[iii] Babylon fell in 539 B.C. Therefore, this was just over 50 years after the Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple as is told about in the book of Ezra. Not all the Jews returned to Judah, and, not unlike today, they lived widely scattered throughout the empire.

Before we get into the actual events of the story, let me say that there is a plot to destroy the people of God, the Chosen People. When plots like this surface, we question, “Where is God?” When we feel the effects of such plots, we get angry with God.

I am going to preface our look at this story by pointing out that there is a war going on.

Pharaoh tried to destroy the people of God, and chased them into the Red Sea. Attacks like this have continued throughout history even to modern times. For example, Hitler’s attempt to eradicate the Jews was just another battle in the war.

The target is the Lord and His anointed one. 1 John 4:3 says, “. . . every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.” (ESV)[iv] This spirit of the antichrist has been working in the world since the Garden of Eden, and has continually been fighting against God, His people and His plan.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-7 says:

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. (ESV)

There is a day coming when the man of lawlessness will be revealed. We know this one as the Antichrist. However, notice it says, “the mystery of lawlessness is already at work!” Esther is an example of the mystery of lawlessness at work in the world. It is also an example of the restraining influence of the prayers of God’s people. The One restraining the mystery of lawlessness is the Holy Spirit, who is present in the people of God.

In 486 B.C., when Xerxes was ruler over 127 provinces, the mystery of lawlessness was at work, but so was God.

The story of Esther starts out with the king throwing a huge, 6-month long party. This party culminated in a 7-day feast, which was characterized by unlimited alcohol. Nothing unusual here . . . everybody loves a good celebration. The king decides to show off his very beautiful wife. However, apparently his very beautiful wife decided she did not want to be shown off.

He fired her.

Time passes and the king decides he needs a new wife.

At this time in the story, we meet Esther. She is, of course, the heroine of our story. The celebration, the party and the firing explain how she became queen. God is not mentioned in all of this, but we know His hand was in it.

Along with Esther, we are introduced to Mordecai. Mordecai, an older cousin of Esther, adopted her as a young girl when her mother and father died.

During the process of selection for the queen, on a certain night, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, and he became aware of a plot to assassinate the king. He relayed the details of the assassination plot to Esther, who, in turn, relayed these details to the king, giving credit to Mordecai for having discovered the plot. An immediate investigation culminated in the execution of the conspirators, notes being made in the official records and then it was forgotten as everyone moved on with business.

In his time around the palace, Mordecai made an enemy. Haman was the prime minister, second only to the king. Mordecai refused to kneel before Haman or pay him honor. Haman was unable to force Mordecai to kneel, so he hatched a plot to kill Mordecai and all the Jews along with him.

A decree went out in the king’s name that all the Jews in the kingdom were to be killed on a certain day.

At times like this, God seems absent.

Mordecai informed Esther of the plot, and persuaded her to ask the king for her life and the life of her people. In persuading her, he says something profound. He says, “Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)

We are convinced that although God seems absent, He is very much present.

Esther called on all the Jews in Susa to fast and pray for three days before she went in to make her appeal to the king.

This is key.

We, as Christians, are called to pray. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 says:

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

This is our part in holding back the mystery of lawlessness. When God no longer wants us to do this, He will remove us. It is called the rapture. We will be “caught up,” raptured, to be with Christ.

Plots to destroy the people of God abound. Hate speech, public displays of a religious nature and the Bible are just some of the issues by which the enemy attacks the people of God.

However, we have no reason to fear. Nevertheless, we must pray. We are commanded to pray.

Consider what happens when God’s people pray.

Haman is our example. He hatched the plot to destroy God’s people. He embodied the spirit of antichrist in his day, and it appeared he was having his way.

However, he hated Mordecai. Killing the Jews was not enough. He wanted personal satisfaction. So, he decided to do something about it.

Executions in the Persian Empire were carried out by impaling a person on a pole, standing the pole up in public and leaving the body there for all to see. Haman set up a pole 75 feet tall. Then, first thing next morning, Haman went in to ask the king for permission to impale Mordecai on the pole.

Wouldn’t you know, that night the king could not sleep.

So, he had the official records brought out and read to him, and he discovered he had never honored Mordecai for saving his life. The king decided to rectify this oversight immediately, and who just happened to be in the court early in the morning, but Haman. The king charged Haman with leading the parade honoring Mordecai throughout the city of Susa. And that night, it was Haman who was impaled on the pole he had set up to be used on Mordecai.

This is not clever story telling or just a fine example of irony. This is how God works.

Remember Joseph? His brothers sold him as a slave in Egypt, and at the end of his life he told them:

But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. (Genesis 50:19-20)

Haman intended to destroy Mordecai and his people. His plot backfired and ended up strengthening them. The book of Esther ends with Mordecai as prime minister, second only to the king, working for the good and prosperity of the Jews.

In our personal lives, we are often confronted with what seems like plots to destroy us. These plots seem like a 75-foot pole to us.

What might yours be?

Some horrible pain?

Some threat of illness or surgery?

A relationship broken beyond repair?

An insurmountable loss and overwhelming grief?

Uncertainty about your career or job?

Let me encourage you with the Words of Romans 8:28:

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

I want to close with words from Chuck Swindoll’s book titled, Esther.

Be still . . . deliberately pause and discover that God is God. Stop reaching back into your own treasure of security. Stop trying to pull the strings yourself. Stop manipulating people and situations. Stop making excuses for your irresponsiblities. Stop ignoring reality. Stop rationalizing your way through life. Stop all that! How? You ask.

Initially: Be quiet. The immortal, invisible, all-wise God, hid from your eyes, is at work. Be very still and, for a change, listen.

Ultimately: Be convinced. Say to the Lord God, “I am convinced that you are at work amid the gallows of my life. I can see them in the dawn of the morning sunrise, but I know You’re at work! I cannot change the events, but I know you are there in the midst of them. Rescue me. I come to You through Christ. I come to You alone. I am quiet, and, finally, I am convinced.[v]

[i] Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Steam, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

[ii] NLT Bible marginal note for verse 1.

[iii] Ibid.

[iv] Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

According to Plan

Ezra 1[i]

The children of Israel were captive in Babylon for 70 years.

When God gave the law through Moses, he warned that if the people did not remain faithful to God, they would be removed from the land and subjected to their enemies. Throughout their history, God continually warned through His prophets that judgment was coming as the people drifted farther and farther away from God.

Leviticus 26 is one place where God lays out some of the punishments the Israelites would suffer for their hostility toward Him.

Leviticus 26:33-35 says:

I will scatter you among the nations and bring out my sword against you. Your land will become desolate, and your cities will lie in ruins. Then at last the land will enjoy its neglected Sabbath years as it lies desolate while you are in exile in the land of your enemies. Then the land will finally rest and enjoy the Sabbaths it missed. As long as the land lies in ruins, it will enjoy the rest you never allowed it to take every seventh year while you lived in it.

These verses explain why the Babylonian captivity lasted 70 years.

According to the Law of Moses, every seventh year was to be a Sabbath year in which no crops were to be cultivated. The land was to rest. For 490 years, the Israelites had not observed the Sabbath year. Consequently, the land had missed 70 Sabbath years.

Along with the prescribed Sabbath years, God foretold other difficulties. Leviticus 26:36 says, “And for those of you who survive, I will demoralize you in the land of your enemies.”

This proved true among the captive Israelites. Conditions varied among the captives. However, they were allowed to settle into the communities in which they had been relocated. Jeremiah encouraged them to buy land, plant gardens and settle in for the long-haul (Jeremiah 29:4-11). Nevertheless, being captives away from home with no temple and no independence was disheartening. Psalm 137 reflects the discouragement and pain in their hearts.

While God pleaded with His people not to take the path to captivity and chastisement, He also promised that His plans were for their good. He told them that He disciplined them for their good as a father would discipline a son that he loved. (Deuteronomy 8:5) God promised their captivity would have an end and that He would return them to their home. In Jeremiah 29:10-11 it says:

This is what the LORD says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

This is where Ezra 1:1 picks up the story. The 70 years of captivity are complete, and the Lord is bringing His people home. Ezra 1:1 says, “In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the LORD fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah.”

God had spoken through Jeremiah at the beginning of the captivity that the captivity would be 70 years. However, as the 70^th year approached, the people remained captives of Babylon, and nothing appeared to be changing. Babylon did not have mercy on its captives. Isaiah 14:17 describes the king of Babylon as having been the one who “demolished the world’s greatest cities and had no mercy on his prisoners.”

From a human point of view, there was no hope for God’s people. Then in one night, Babylon was conquered, and the world scene changed. Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian were now in charge.

This does not surprise the child of God. God’s word is our sure foundation. God’s word is more certain than the ground on which we stand. 150 years before the events of Ezra, God told the world that Cyrus the King would order the rebuilding of the temple and of Jerusalem. Isaiah 44:28 was written 150 years before the events of Ezra 1 and it says, “When I say of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd,' he will certainly do as I say. He will command, 'Rebuild Jerusalem'; he will say, 'Restore the Temple.”

It all came about exactly as God decreed.

This does not surprise us.

This same sort of foretelling is exactly what happened with the life of Jesus. God foretold the events of His life in the prophets of the Old Testament so that Peter was able to say:

“People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. (Acts 2:22-23)

Peter said that God’s prearranged plan was carried out.

What happened to the people of Israel happened as examples to us. 1 Corinthians 10:11 says, “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” (ESV)[ii]

Notice, that this passage makes it clear that we are the ones on whom the end of the ages has come.

God pleaded with ancient Israel not to live in hostility toward Him and warned of the consequences. God pleads with the world today not to live in hostility toward Him and warns of the consequences.

God foretold exactly what would happen even giving time frames, such as 70 years, as well as naming who would be king.

God has also told our world what is coming. He has decreed a seven-year period known as the Great Tribulation, the rapture of the Church and numerous other end-time events.

We can take three things away from Ezra 1 that will encourage us as believers as we live in the end of the ages.

Ezra 1:1 says, “In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the LORD fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom.”

The first thing is that “God fulfills His word.”

Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God's law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.” (Matthew 5:18)

We can have great confidence in what is revealed in the Bible. The world may scoff at the promise of Jesus returning, but we know it will happen.

The second thing is God uses the political establishment to accomplish His purposes. In this case, God used the King. It says, “He stirred the heart of Cyrus.”

All the unsettling political events in our world today are not beyond the control or knowledge of our God. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27, ESV)

God’s foreknowledge and plan give us peace of mind.

Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases.”

God moved the heart of Cyrus to make a decree to rebuild the temple.

Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken which resulted in Jesus being born in Bethlehem.

We have confidence in God’s word. We have confidence in God’s sovereignty.

The third thing we have confidence in is God’s purpose for His people.

Through Jeremiah, God said, “I know the plans I have for you.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

God’s plans showed themselves in God’s people during Ezra’s time by God working in and through His people. Ezra 1:5 says, “Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the LORD.”

God stirred the heart of the king, but He also stirred the hearts of His people. God had a purpose and a part for His people. The temple did not rebuild itself. God provided. Ezra 1 tells how people gave for the purpose; even the King gave for the building of the temple. God provided money, materials and people to do the work. God can do all things and does not need our help, but He chooses to work in us and through us.

At the time of Ezra, the Temple was to be built. During our time, the Church is being built.

Jesus said, “And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)

God is doing this through us. 2 Corinthians 5 tells us we are His ambassadors. God is providing money, materials and people to do the work.

We have confidence God’s word will be fulfilled. We have confidence that God is in control.

How is God moving your heart to participate in His plan?

Are you part of providing money?

Are you part of providing materials?

Are you one to contribute skills?

[ii] Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

When the Pressure's On

Daniel 6[i]

Daniel chapter 6 gives the famous account of Daniel and the Lions’ Den. At the time of this incident, Daniel was over 80 years old. He was a capable leader and administrator, and was in charge of an empire.

This chapter is about the faithfulness of a man to God, and about the faithfulness of God to a man.

After a lifetime of faithfully serving God, Daniel is tested.

We are all tested. There is no age limit. There are no exemptions for position or authority. There are no exceptions.

James 1:2-3 tells us:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (ESV)[ii]

From these verses, it should be clear that we can all expect to be tested. The question is, “How will we come out of the test?”

I do not know what “Lions’ Den” you are facing or may be about to face, but doubtless you have one looming on the horizon.

It might be at work. It might at home.

The Bible teaches us that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the unseen forces of the evil one. Daniel teaches us three lessons that will help us stand firm in face of the “Lions’ Dens” of our lives. Daniel shows us what it looks like when a person has their spiritual armor on.

The first lesson Daniel teaches us is that we must establish our foundation.

At the close of Daniel 5, Darius the Mede took over the Babylonian Empire. “Darius decided to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces, and he appointed a high officer to rule over each province.” (Daniel 6:1) These “high officers” were called “satraps.” Then, according to Daniel 6:2, Darius appointed three “administrators” to supervise the 120 satraps. Daniel was one of these administrators.

Daniel soon distinguished himself among the administrators so that the king was planning to put Daniel in charge of the whole kingdom. Daniel 6:3 says this was so because “an excellent spirit was in him.” (ESV) Other translations have translated this word as “an extraordinary spirit was in him.” On this point, the New Living Translation misses by interpreting this as: “because of Daniel’s great ability.” There is a difference between great ability and an exceptional spirit, and in the end, the exceptional spirit is far more valuable. Great ability without character often spells disaster as Daniel’s fellow administrators demonstrate in Daniel 6.

The word the book of Daniel uses for “excellent” here in verse 3 is used in the Bible only in Daniel and it is instructive to note where it is used. It is used in chapter 2 verse 21 where it describes the statue that Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream as having “exceeding brightness.” (ESV) It is used in chapter 3 verse 22 where it describes the furnace heated seven times its normal heat as being “extremely hot.” (NASB, KJV “exceeding hot”)

Something about Daniel set him apart. He was exceptional. He was extraordinary. It was his spirit, and the amazing, exciting thing is that what made Daniel extraordinary is available to each of us.

Let’s go back and consider how Daniel started. In Daniel chapter 1, we meet Daniel as a young captive in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar. He and three of his friends decide not to defile themselves with the King’s food. From that point on, Daniel and his three friends were extraordinary.

They knew what they believed. They knew whom they believed. They had a solid foundation. The same foundation is available to anyone and everyone, but few actually build on it.

Jesus describes it like this:

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Matthew 7:24, ESV)

Psalm 119:1 says:

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! (ESV)

Psalm 19:7 says:

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. (ESV)

We must know what we believe. Our modern education has taught us to be skeptical about everything. We must not be unsure, wishy-washy or skeptical about our God and Father. Daniel was extraordinary because he was sure about his God. Notice, all the Scriptures I just quoted promise blessedness and solidity to the life built on the solid foundation of God’s word. Confidence in God is the foundation.

Trust in God is the first lesson Daniel teaches us and it is the foundation for the remaining two.

The second lesson Daniel teaches us is we must keep our spiritual equilibrium.

In other words, we must keep our balance.

Do not be perturbed or prodded into desperate action when the pressure is on. Keep your cool. Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled, believe in God.” (John 14:1)

Daniel’s fellow administrators conspired against Daniel.

This reminds me of a quote I like by Joseph Heller, author of “Catch 22.” He says, “Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.”

Well, Daniel was not paranoid, but they were certainly after him. When they could not find a fault in character, (refer back to lesson number 1) they decided to use Daniel’s relationship to God against him.

Let me say at this point, this will always happen.

The enemy of our souls does not like us to trust in God and will always attack. This is why 1 Peter 1:7 says that the tested genuineness of our faith is more precious than gold. We will be asked to compromise our faith at work, in school and even at home, but do not do it. In 2 Timothy 3:12 the Scriptures say, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

This is where Daniel stood strong. He would not defile himself with the king’s food, and he would not stop praying. Not even the threat of the Lions’ Den could force Daniel to stop praying or alter his relationship with God one little bit.

Some things are more important than life, and prayer is one of them. How many of us would choose to die rather than stop praying? If not, we will never stand. In Isaiah 7:9 God told Ahaz, “If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.” (ESV)

Equilibrium or balance means having our priorities right, keeping first things first. Are you too busy to pray, or are you too busy not to pray?

What is the priority?

This is the second lesson, maintaining our spiritual equilibrium. The third is similar to it and it is simply, give glory to God.

By “give glory to God,” I mean use your mouth to tell others where your confidence lies.

Daniel’s testimony was consistent.

His enemies knew the only way to find anything against Daniel was in regard to his faith because Daniel’s life was consistent.

The King knew that Daniel served God faithfully. Therefore, he told Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.” (Daniel 6:16)

Since Daniel’s testimony was consistent, it was natural for the King and those around Daniel to accept that his deliverance came from God.

As a result, the King made a decree saying:

“I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” (Daniel 6:26-27)

This is the fruit of a life lived for God and a consistent testimony.

However, at this point, I need to attach a warning. The nation of Israel did not always live consistent with the Word of God, and they earned this rebuke from God, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.” (Romans 2:24) Jesus also quoted Isaiah saying, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Matthew 15:8) We are quick to recognize that what a person does speaks louder than a person’s words. In order to have a powerful testimony, a person must not only speak the truth, he or she must also walk with the Lord.

Corresponding to the necessity of words matching up with life, one must also live boldly. Meekness and mildness are virtues, but cowardice is not. Jesus said:

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33, ESV)

Daniel serves as an example of a person whose life matched his words, and who was not ashamed to acknowledge his allegiance to God.

Daniel was faithful to God and God was faithful to Daniel.

We are all tested. When the pressure is on, we reveal what we are trusting in. “Tested genuineness” of faith is more precious than gold. (1 Peter 1:7)

What do the tests of life show us about ourselves?

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

When All Seems Lost

Isaiah 11[i]

Isaiah wrote to a prosperous, proud nation.

Sure, they had their problems. Years of civil war between the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah had divided the descendants of Jacob; call it family in-fighting. However, economically they were well off. A descendant of David sat on the throne in Jerusalem, and the temple of God continued as a centerpiece of national life.

In their apparent prosperity, they hid a cesspool of corruption. Isaiah pointed this out when he said:

See how Jerusalem, once so faithful, has become a prostitute. Once the home of justice and righteousness, she is now filled with murderers. Once like pure silver, you have become like worthless slag. Once so pure, you are now like watered-down wine. Your leaders are rebels, the companions of thieves. All of them love bribes and demand payoffs, but they refuse to defend the cause of orphans or fight for the rights of widows. (Isaiah 1:21-23)

Because of this corruption, Isaiah also says:

For Jerusalem will stumble, and Judah will fall, because they speak out against the LORD and refuse to obey him. They provoke him to his face. The very look on their faces gives them away. They display their sin like the people of Sodom and don’t even try to hide it. They are doomed! They have brought destruction upon themselves. (Isaiah 3:8-9)

Time proved the truth of Isaiah’s prophecies. History shows that Isaiah spoke for God. Jerusalem fell. The people went into exile, and the house of David no longer ruled the nation. A descendant of David has not sat on the throne of the nation of Israel for approximately 2,600 years.

Isaiah 11:1 calls the house of David, “the stump of the line of David.”[ii]

A stump is what is left when a tree is cut down. A stump is all that remained after the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem in 586 BC.

Joseph and Mary were descendants of David. However, they were not royalty. He was a carpenter. Of course, Joseph was not Jesus’s father, but as the husband of Mary and since Jesus had no earthly father, Joseph establishes Jesus’s legal right to the throne of David.

When it seemed that all was lost for the house of David, God brought forth a Son, the Messiah. Isaiah 11:1 calls Him a “shoot.”

Isaiah says of Him:

And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. (Isaiah 11:2-3)

During His 33 years in Judea, Jesus demonstrated the truth of this statement. Isaiah foretold his work on the cross when he said:

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all. (Isaiah 53:5-6)

This shoot out of the stump of the line of David has paid the price for the sins of all mankind.

However, His work is not yet done. 2 Timothy 2:13 tells us, “Evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (ESV)

Isaiah 11 speaks of a day, yet to come, when all rebellion against God will be put to rest, and perfect justice and peace will rule throughout the whole world. Isaiah says:

In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm. Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the LORD. (Isaiah 11:6-9)

Some people mock this idea. 2 Peter 3 speaks of this when it says:

Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” (2 Peter 3:3-4)

However, in verse 9 Peter explains the delay. He says:

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. (2 Peter 3:9)

When it seemed all was lost, when David’s line seemed cut off and dead, God brought forth a Savior.

The world situation will continue to go from bad to worse, but then Jesus will return to rule the earth.

I hope you see a pattern in how God works. When all human effort and wisdom fail, God does the impossible. Where our sin is the darkest, His grace shines brightest. When our need is greatest, His strength shows clearest.

God does not take pleasure in our suffering. God says he takes no pleasure in anyone’s death. (Ezekiel 18:32) Humanity brings suffering on itself. You and I bring some suffering and hardship on ourselves. Our sin brings us heartache. God does not wait because of some morbid desire to see us suffer.

God lets us choose. He lets us go our own way if that is what we want. He calls to us. He pleads with us. He sends messengers like Isaiah to tell us what is going to happen. When we finally stop to listen and call on His name, He steps in.

He stepped into the World at the Manger in Bethlehem. He will step into your life any time you ask Him. However, it always means the death of all other hope. We cannot call on God and hold on to our pride as Israel tried to do in the days of Isaiah. We cannot hold on to the Savior and be our own savior at the same time. We cannot hold on to the hope that we are somehow good enough to be saved and acknowledge there is only one way to be saved at the same time. It is one or the other. Either I am a sinner in need of a Savior or I am not. History demonstrates that we usually get desperate before we acknowledge our need.

Millions of Jews are still waiting for the promised shoot from the stump of the line of David. People all around the world celebrate Christmas, and yet those who have the most interest in Him still do not recognize Him. What will it take? It will take the Great Tribulation foretold in the book of Revelation for the Jewish nation to finally recognize their Messiah.

What are you holding on to today? Are you hoping you are good enough to earn eternal life? The Bible clearly tells us all that we are not. Are you hoping you are strong enough to fix all your problems? If you are, why did God send His Son to bear all of our sorrows? Either God is our hope and salvation, or He is not. Oh, how happy is the person whose hope is in the Lord! Cast aside all foolish pride and call on Him today.

[ii] NLT marginal reading