December 12 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

Jesse was the father of David. When the prophet Isaiah spoke of the "stump of Jesse," every Israelite knew what he was talking about. The kingdom of David had fallen like an oak that is cut down. Only the stump remained. The old glory was gone.

Now the prophet announces that the restoration of the house of David will be far more glorious than the reign of David or Solomon ever was. Just as a fallen oak often rises again through the shoots or suckers that grow out of its stump, so an offspring of David will arise, and he will rule as King of peace and glory.

First Isaiah gives a description of the qualities of this King (vv. 2-5). Then follows a picture of the land over which he will rule (vv. 6-9).

People have often said that this is what paradise must have looked like: the wolf and the lamb don't hurt each other; children laugh and play among harmless snails and serpents.

Maybe that's the way it was.

We do know that this is how it's going to be once Jesus has finished his work. The birth of Christ not only restored glory to the house of David, it also was the beginning of the restoration of creation. Jesus' work began in the hearts and lives of people. And when it is completed, peace and harmony will be restored in all that God has made.

The point of the picture is peace, shalom—a state of well-being without brokenness, hurts, or faults.

This is the picture that flashed before people's minds when they heard Jesus say that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. This kingdom is much closer now. Already the Son of David rules over our lives and families and churches. And his kingship is being extended by quiet but irresistible strength.

REFLECTIONS

Where in your life do you most feel the need for the shalom that has already begun but will one day be complete?

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published by Paideia Press in 1977. This updated edition is copyright 2009 by Faith Alive Christian Resources. You can order a copy of this revised version of the book directly from the publisher.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this updated edition of Daylight are from the Holy Bible: Today's New International Version copyright 2001, 2005 by the International Bible Society.