email : Webview : Duane Brooks - Every Day with Jesus

November 1, 2018

Isaiah 11:1-2

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
    from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
    the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and of might,
    the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—

New International Version (NIV)

                Israel’s history with kings was hit and miss. Mostly miss. After Solomon, when the kingdom split into north and south, only the southern kingdom of Judah had any good kings. The northern kingdom centered in Samaria had none. Uzziah started well, but finished as a leper. His son Jotham reigned with him as co-regent for several years. Ahaz self-righteously refused to obey God. The whole country waited for and wanted a good king.

                Isaiah prophesied, predicting a future King from Jesse and David’s line. He would not only lead the government but he would do so by following the Spirit’s leadership. Judah’s hearts welled up with hope who would live his life under the influence of God’s Spirit. Honestly, I long for such a leader, too, for our churches, for our governments, local and national. Imagine a leader who lived life completely under the influence of God, a God intoxicated person. What would that be like?

                Listen to the description of a spirit-led leader. The Spirit of the Lord rests on this person. This Spirit fills the leader with wisdom and understanding. When the leader wants to know what to do, they don’t check opinion polls but asks God for counsel. God strengthens the person to do the right thing at all times. This person knows the Lord and lives life with a holy fear of the Lord.

                Maybe you read this like I do and say, “What about this leader or that leader in our world?” I look back at Isaiah’s life. Hezekiah, the last king in Isaiah’s lifetime looked so much better than his three ancestors who preceded him. He spread out the threats of the Assyrian king before the Lord and prayed. Still Hezekiah was not the fulfillment of this prophecy. Then who was? Josiah? No.

                Jesus, the root of Jesse is the leader for whom we look and long. He alone is a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. In his first sermon in Nazareth he turned to the scroll of Isaiah and said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me . . .” Then he said, today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. Whoever else seems to be in charge in our world, let us put our full hope and confidence in Jesus. He is the only leader who can bring us to life.

Pray with me:

Father, you have placed a longing in our hearts to be led by a just and good ruler. Show us your Son today. Let us put all of our hope in him. Every human leader fails. With the Psalmist we say, “We will not trust in princes, in mortals who cannot save. But our help and hope is in you Lord" (Psalm 146-3-5). All day long we hope in you. All our lives long we hope in you. You will not disappoint us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story. With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we!
Joyfully,
Duane

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