#DailyDevotion The New David Has Come. Now We Wait For His Return
December 5th
Read Is 11:1—12:6
Isa 11:1-2 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. (2) 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. Isa 12:1-3 You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. (2) “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
And there’s a lot of other good stuff between 11:4 and 12:1 but let us focus on this today. David’s house shall be cut low down to the stump with is his father, Jesse. The shoot coming forth is a new David. The fullness of the Holy Spirit shall rest upon him. He will not judge as others judge. Verse 10 tells us not only is it a shoot from the stump of Jesse but the root of Jesse as well. So he comes before Jesse and after Jesse. This of course is Jesus who is of the house of David according to the flesh but who is the Son of God who precedes all creation and is its author, that is, God, the Lord Almighty. The Holy Spirit rested upon him at his baptism by John and we see the action of his wisdom in his earthly ministry. We shall see it fully at his return when he judges the earth.
Jesus is raised up as a signal to the nation in his crucifixion and in his lifting up he draws all to himself. All Israel, all men, all creation are drawn into Christ and is redeemed by him on the cross. Even now we see this as Jesus gathers his people from all nations into his body the Church. We shall see this even more clearly at his return. And at Christ Jesus’ return those who looked to him shall be raised or changed to everlasting life and those who refused his love, forgiveness, and mercy shall be raised to everlasting perdition.
Which is why “in that day,” we will be giving thanks and praise and honor and glory; for he has turned away his wrath and anger. Even now we sing, (2) “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” Even now we sing, “Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. (5) “Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. (6) Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” But then we shall sing it even more gloriously and with more forever.
Lord Jesus Christ, we give you thanks that you have drawn us from all nations by your crucifixion that we may know, understand and believe that in that action God’s wrath has been set aside and is now our salvation, strength and song. May all who hear our praise of your name become fellow partakers of our song in that day to everlasting salvation. Amen