18 December
Isaiah: Isaiah 9:1-7, Isaiah 11:1-11, Jeremiah 31:27-40
Our puppy lives in a perpetual state of hope. We only have to touch the coat cupboard door for her to get extremely excited. Her hope is based on experience- when coats and boots go on, we are going out. Her only concern is whether or not she is coming too!
Do we have any cause to hope, even though we live in this broken world?
Isaiah wrote this prophecy at a time when the nation of Judah had turned away from God, offering meaningless sacrifices in the temple and committing injustices throughout the nation. Yet even in the darkest of times God has promised us a saviour (Isaiah 9 v6) and the government will be upon his shoulders. Nature will be restored as God intended so that all creation will dwell in harmony (Isaiah 11v6-9). Our relationship with God will be restored. He will write His laws on our hearts and our iniquity and sins will be forgiven and remembered no more. (Jeremiah 31v 33-34).
Yes, we do have cause to hope! He is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. He leads us through the curtain into Gods inner sanctuary, and His name is Jesus. (Hebrews 6 v19)
Prayer
Father God, I thank You that You always had a plan to bring justice and hope back to our broken world. Thank You for the gift of Your son, born as a baby whose names are Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. May I experience all these things, and that there will be no end to the increase of Your government and peace in my life. In Jesus name. Amen
Caroline King
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