Session 6

Hope Springs Up

From Join the Chorus!

“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse.” - Isaiah 11:1

Just when all seemed lost, Isaiah envisioned a small, green shoot emerging from the old, dead stump. For the people of Israel, the stump represented all that was lost. The kingdom of David should have continued forever through his heirs. Instead, their disobedience led to death and the destruction of a dynasty. By Isaiah’s time, the people of God have found themselves dispersed, cut off, and far removed from the promise of God.  

Isaiah calls the people of Israel back into proximity and back to God’s heart. He prophesies of a Messiah, filled with the Holy Spirit and with joy, who will fulfill the destiny of David, just as God had designed him to do. 

Just at the right time, when all hope was seemingly gone, God sent his Son, Jesus, born of a woman, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because we are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So, we are no longer slaves, but sons and daughters and heirs (Galatians 4:4-7).

Jesus Christ, our Messiah, is the one who brings the kingdom of God to us even in our darkest hour, like a rose blooming in the middle of winter. If you have felt disqualified or unlovely in any way, do not lose hope. If you have found that small things have begun to distance you from Jesus in any way, do not lose hope! Draw near to Him again. Jesus loves to sprout new life from old stumps.