Have No Fear. Jesus Reigns – Week of December 5, 2022
Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations: in him the Gentiles will hope.”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:12-13
ECME Devotion December 5, 2022
See series: ECME Devotions
I love when Scripture quotes Scripture. Today, we see the Apostle Paul quoting the Prophet Isaiah. Two “heroes of faith” from two very different times in history where it could have seemed as though someone other than God was reigning and ruling on earth. Even so, they passed down encouraging truth to God’s people. They trusted that the Sovereign Lord was in control and that his perfect reign was coming. Do you hear the certainty in their words? “The Root of Jesse WILL spring up, one who WILL arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles WILL hope.” There is no doubt, no “maybe”, but always “will”.
It’s easy to look at the world around us and wonder “Where is the justice?” “Why would God let so many bad things happen?” “Who is really in control here?” We begin to doubt and wonder why Jesus isn’t ruling and reigning in the way we think is best. We make ourselves the judge and often forget to trust in his perfect justice that is coming.
How quickly we are filled with anxiety and fear when we doubt that God is in control. Today, we hear that the exact opposite is what our Savior desires for us. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.”
Our anxiety and fear are quickly replaced with joy and peace when we place our trust in Jesus. This hope that he promises doesn’t give us just enough hope for today, but enough so that “you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” When our hope overflows, it doesn’t only bless us, but it blesses those around us—our students, our family, our friends. This certain hope of One coming to bring justice and eternal life is for everyone.
In many ways, we are “heroes of faith” just like Paul and Isaiah. Yes, we live in a very different time in history, where it can seem like God is not reigning on the throne. Like those that have gone before us, we can trust that he is indeed in control. We get to spread the good news of what God has done and what God WILL do. Let us be filled by the Holy Spirit so that we can share the joy and peace with the whole world as we wait for Jesus, our Judge, to rule with his perfect justice and bring us home to heaven.
Prayer:
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
CW21 327:1-2 / CW93 23:1-2
O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, O Root of Jesse,
free your own from Satan’s tyranny;
from depths of hell your people save,
and give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
