The Stem of Jesse

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The Stem of Jesse

Trust is built  on faithfulness.     When a person faithfully shows  that he can surely be trusted  to keep his word,  people began to trust him  after experiencing his trustworthiness  and truthfulness.     That usually takes  getting to know the person  over time.

God knows  that we live in a world full  of deceitfulness,  selfishness,  lies,  greed, and all sorts  of untrustworthiness.     God fully realizes  that as we repeatedly experience untrustworthiness  in all sorts of people,  we soon become suspicious  of their motives  and careful  about dealing  with just any ol’ one.     In signing contracts  we realize  we need to look  at the fine print  at the bottom.     In buying products,  we look for flaws  of poor workmanship  and materials.     We even wonder  about trustworthiness  in God.

Because of all that,  some people say,  “As you get older,  you get wiser.”     But,  that’s not always true.     Even older people  with lots of experience  will fall  for all sorts  of deceptions.

But,  as God deals  with this sinful world,  He wants us  to look at piles  upon piles  of proof that He truly is the LORD  and God  who will judge us some day  for all  of our actions  and faith — or lack  of faith.     God wants us  to become very sure  of His love  and trustworthiness,  so that we will willingly  and strongly live  by faith — no matter how tough  our earthly circumstances.     Just as we look  for quality material  in a product we want to buy,  we can look  for quality material  in God Almighty.     He is not  some hunk  of wood — some idol  or fabrication  of man’s mind.     The LORD  is the true God,  our Creator  and Sustainer.     So,  it’s only wise  to live  by that truth.

One of God’s proofs  of reality  and quality  is His ability  to keep His word.     God’s prophecies  do come true.    One example  is the prophecy  about Jesus’ coming,  as found in Isaiah 11:1-5.     Here we can see  how Jesus life  was described 700 years  before He was born.     No other “god”  can even come close  to fulfilling a prophecy  like this.     See Jesus  in these words,

Then a shoot will spring  from the stem  of Jesse,   
And a branch  from his roots  will bear fruit.   
And the Spirit  of the LORD  will rest  on Him,   
The spirit  of wisdom  and understanding,   
The spirit  of counsel  and strength,   
The spirit  of knowledge  and the fear  of the LORD.   
And He will delight  in the fear  of the LORD,   
And He will not judge  by what His eyes see,   
Nor make a decision  by what His ears hear;   
But with righteousness  He will judge  the poor,   
And decide  with fairness  for the afflicted  of the earth;   
And He will strike the earth  with the rod  of His mouth,   
And with the breath  of His lips  He will slay the wicked.   
Also righteousness  will be the belt  about His loins,   
And faithfulness  the belt  about His waist.

Through Isaiah  Jesus is described,  and as one reads the gospels,  one can see  how all of these descriptions  were true  in Jesus.     Jesus was noted  for His wisdom,  understanding,  counsel,  and strength.     People were in awe  of His knowledge  of the LORD.     Jesus knew  how to interact  with people  because He knew  what was in their past  and in their hearts.     Therefore,  He did not judge them  by what anyone could see  or hear — but He rightly judged  by what was true  in their innermost being.

Jesus was hated  by the religious leaders  because He struck them  with the rod  of His mouth.     He got right down  to the nitty-gritty  of their wickedness,  and they hated Him  for revealing their sins.

So,  what does Jesus’ word reveal  about our hearts  and minds?     Do we reject  our Lord  and Savior  because He reveals  our sins?     Or,  do we see His loving offer  of forgiveness  and righteousness  through faith.     Do we see  how He can be trusted  to love  and forgive us,  because He has kept  His word  of prophecy?

He did all this  for us.     Now,  what can we do  for Him?

As we rejoice  in the sacrificial love  of the Almighty,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  You alone  can be trusted  in all  of Your word.     Your promises  are sure  and Your love  is pure.     Strengthen us  in Your truth,  that we may have the courage  to honestly live  for You.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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