1ST WEEK OF ADVENT

On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse.

A good rain can produce a miracle in just about any desert. Seeds buried in dry earth are able to lie waiting for months, even years. Suddenly, in the right conditions, they sprout, and the desert floor bursts with color and life.

In a way, Israel waiting for the Messiah was like a desert waiting to burst into bloom. For many years, the nation had endured exile and oppression, with only occasional flashes of hope. King David’s once vibrant dynasty lay dormant, and the people were constantly tempted to follow the ways of the pagans around them. But God had spoken to this desert and promised a “shoot . . . from the stump of Jesse,” who would establish a kingdom of righteousness (Isaiah 11:1).

Then, centuries later, it happened! Jesus was born into David’s lineage, and he ushered in the kingdom with a breathtaking display of power and grace. But there’s a twist. Jesus’ ministry produced a different sort of “bloom” than what many were expecting. He had come to rescue people from sin, not Roman imperialism. And his great victory was won on the cross, not at the head of a liberating army. Still, for those who believed in him, the desert came alive with all the vibrant colors of grace, mercy, and joy.

Have you been through a desert this past year? Deserts are disorienting, and you may have more questions than answers as you deal with a pandemic, racial tensions, grief, financial hardship, or simply the demands of everyday life. Wearied and hurting, you may even wonder if God has turned his back on you.

But God wants you to know that wherever you are, he is with you. He has not forgotten you. He’s walking with you through this desert. He will always love you, and he’ll always, always be faithful.

As you wait for your prayers to be answered, consider the ways in which God’s grace may already be blossoming around you. The stark beauty of this desert may nudge you to pray and open you to receive the “rain” of God’s grace. By stripping away your comforts, this experience can even expose the unshakable faith that sits deep within your heart.

“Lord, help me see your grace in the desert.”

Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Luke 10:21-24

WORD AMONG US