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Prepare: How do you view the past? Is it important to you, and if so why?
Looking to the future
The first line of LP Hartley’s novel The Go Between tells us: ‘The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.’ In these verses it is the future, but actually a future very firmly rooted in the past, where things will be amazingly different.
It must have been very hard for God’s people to look to the future with hope, in the light of all the uncertainty that surrounded them. But Isaiah gives them (and us) a wonderful message from God.
Green shoots
All that seems to be left of the royal line of David (Jesse’s son) is a stump. But it’s a stump with roots, so there is still life there. And, as the next few verses show, out of it would rise a Branch that would flourish. Verses 2–5 describe this wonderful Messiah who would bring righteousness, justice and faithfulness.
At this time of year in the UK many garden shrubs have been cut back, and look lifeless. Yet if we look closely we may glimpse tiny green shoots just beginning to bud into life. However overwhelmed we may feel by past or present difficulties, we can still glimpse the future glory that lies in store with God.
Respond: Sometimes it’s hard to see beyond our circumstances. Ask God today to give you a fresh reminder of your future with him.
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-12-29
Looking to the future
The first line of LP Hartley’s novel The Go Between tells us: ‘The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.’ In these verses it is the future, but actually a future very firmly rooted in the past, where things will be amazingly different.
It must have been very hard for God’s people to look to the future with hope, in the light of all the uncertainty that surrounded them. But Isaiah gives them (and us) a wonderful message from God.
Green shoots
All that seems to be left of the royal line of David (Jesse’s son) is a stump. But it’s a stump with roots, so there is still life there. And, as the next few verses show, out of it would rise a Branch that would flourish. Verses 2–5 describe this wonderful Messiah who would bring righteousness, justice and faithfulness.
At this time of year in the UK many garden shrubs have been cut back, and look lifeless. Yet if we look closely we may glimpse tiny green shoots just beginning to bud into life. However overwhelmed we may feel by past or present difficulties, we can still glimpse the future glory that lies in store with God.
Respond: Sometimes it’s hard to see beyond our circumstances. Ask God today to give you a fresh reminder of your future with him.
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-12-29
Scripture
About this Plan
WordLive provides a daily slice of Bible reading and commentary that, over four years, covers most of the Bible. The commentary encourages the reader to engage with the Bible passage in order to deepen their relationship with God, through reflection and practical application. The WordLive website offers further multimedia content and group Bible study, while registration offers a daily email, journal and bookmarking, and community tools.
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We would like to thank Scripture Union England & Wales for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.wordlive.org/youversion
