Scripture: Isaiah 41:1-20
Observation: God promises to do extraordinary things for God's chosen people. God provides miracles, like planting trees in deserts, so that all who see these miracles will know that it is from the Lord.
Application: I can't help but see God's provision for God's people popping up in this Scripture. That is that God will do it! So often I get caught up in the need to do rather than the trust that God will do. In the darkness of the world we live in, mass shooting, terrorist attacks et al, it is easy to get caught up in the darkness. Isaiah is providing a word of hope, a light in the darkness.
The imagery of planting trees in the desert is an appealing one because it speaks to the impossible nature of the world and the possibility of what the Lord can and will do.
Martin Luther famously said, "if the world would end tomorrow, I would plant a tree today."
In this advent season, we cling to the hope of trees planted in the desert so that we are reminded of life coming out of death, fruitfulness out of barrenness.
Prayer: Lord, we look to you for your provision of life in the midst of death for the hope of the world. We anxiously await for your presence and peace until you make the fullness of your kingdom greet us.
Observation: God promises to do extraordinary things for God's chosen people. God provides miracles, like planting trees in deserts, so that all who see these miracles will know that it is from the Lord.
Application: I can't help but see God's provision for God's people popping up in this Scripture. That is that God will do it! So often I get caught up in the need to do rather than the trust that God will do. In the darkness of the world we live in, mass shooting, terrorist attacks et al, it is easy to get caught up in the darkness. Isaiah is providing a word of hope, a light in the darkness.
The imagery of planting trees in the desert is an appealing one because it speaks to the impossible nature of the world and the possibility of what the Lord can and will do.
Martin Luther famously said, "if the world would end tomorrow, I would plant a tree today."
In this advent season, we cling to the hope of trees planted in the desert so that we are reminded of life coming out of death, fruitfulness out of barrenness.
Prayer: Lord, we look to you for your provision of life in the midst of death for the hope of the world. We anxiously await for your presence and peace until you make the fullness of your kingdom greet us.
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