Shoot and Branch

Daily Reading: Isaiah 11-12

Scripture Focus: There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11.1-3)

Devotional Thought: Though the people of Israel experienced devastation, God preserved a "shoot" and a "branch" from the stump of Jesse: Jesus!

When Jesus was baptized – 700 years after Isaiah – the Spirit of the Lord descended in the form of a Dove, and came to rest upon him.  May that same Spirit come to rest upon each of us, and may he bring to us what he brought to Jesus!

• Wisdom and understanding.  Often in times of trouble, we get confused.  Circumstances overwhelm us and all we can see are the problems.  “When you’re up to your neck in alligators, it’s hard to remember that your original objective was to drain the swamp.”  God needs to come and lead us to the right solutions, and point us in the right direction. We need just enough wisdom for the next decision.  May God give us his Spirit to guide us.

• Counsel and might.  After his baptism, Jesus endured temptation in the wilderness.  Satan assailed him on many levels.  Afterward, the Bible says that “Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit” to begin his ministry (Luke 4.14-16).  You see, the Spirit not only helps us, but he also gives us power to help others in the mighty name of Jesus!

• Knowledge and the fear of the Lord.  Jesus knew that he needed to remain submissive to the will of the Father. He was going to see great success in his ministry, and the temptation would be to depend upon himself.  Another temptation would be to put the work of ministry before his relationship with the Father.  Jesus was guided by the Spirit into lonely places, where he spent time with God.  The Spirit gives us the knowledge that our success depends completely on God!

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for saving me.  You are the shoot and branch that bears the fruit of salvation.   Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 44.1-8

1 O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old:

2 you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free;

3 for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.

4 You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob!

5 Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.

6 For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me.

7 But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us.

8 In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah