As the end of 2024 approaches, another election year has taken its toll, the economy is threatening a “light” Christmas, and we’re left wondering just what the New Year might bring. Does it all feel hopeless? Does it feel like our lives will never be the same? Does the future seem more uncertain than ever? My friends, we are not alone; these are not only 21^st-century problems.

Long ago, the Israelites were going through similar struggles. They were watching their country crumble around them, experiencing fear that their enemies would overtake them, and worrying that everything they had ever known was changing. It seemed hopeless for them. God was allowing them to suffer because of the faithlessness of their leaders, the sins they refused to leave behind, and their own willingness to turn away from God’s Word.

There were a small number of faithful few who remained true to God’s Word and followed his commands with true faith, but it was hard to see them through the masses of unbelievers. Israel was known for being God’s chosen people, but this was often in name only because their hearts were far from belonging to the Lord. It was hard to see how God’s promise of a Savior would come from the line of Jesse when so many of the kings and followers had fallen so far away from God. This family tree had certainly died spiritually and was close to dying out physically as well.

Isaiah was prophesying to a lost and hurting people, and here he gave them hope. They would not be divided forever. They would not remain dispersed. God would restore them and silence their enemies—just not the way they thought or anticipated. He would preserve the line of Jesse so that the King of kings could be born from this line. A king who would have much more power, riches, and wisdom than David and Solomon. A king who would bring them eternal peace, rest, and glory. A king who would make alive what once was dead.

God remained faithful to his people and faithful to his promises. A remnant returned to the mighty God and leaned on him for strength, hope for the future, and peace. The line of Jesse that had turned into a rotten stump would not prevent God from providing a new root. This new root would bloom in the face of adversity and be a sign for the people to rally around and be filled with hope that their wait was over.

The Root of Jesse would come to establish his heavenly kingdom, which could never die. He would fight all the evils of this world to rescue God’s people from their enemy. Even more amazing, this sign they were awaiting would be God himself in the form of a humble infant, born in a manger, willing to die on a cross to take away the hopelessness, worry, and uncertainty the Israelites felt and that we still feel today. In its place, he gave them—and gives us!—hope, peace, and rest in his eternal glory.