Thursday, December 3, 2020
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. Isaiah 11:1
In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious. Isaiah 11:10
A Heritage of Hope…
The definition of deep-rooted is firmly embedded in thought behavior, or culture, and so having a persistent influence. Some of us have family roots that run deep. Those roots are where we came from, a heritage that is woven into who we are, good or bad. We may not have all the same characteristics of those in our family line, but our family roots are a part of who we are.
As children of God, we have a heritage of hope that comes from deep roots – Jesus Christ. The verses above speak of the root of Jesse, which is a metaphor. The root of Jesse figuratively stands for the Messiah. The root of a family is an ancestor or forefather. Jesse was the father of King David, and we know that Jesus was descended from the line of Jesse and David. Isaiah used the term “root of Jesse” to tell of the promise – the hope – of a King who would be born out of David’s family roots.
This King is the wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace promised to the world. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 This King is our spiritual family line. We are royalty - sons and daughters of the King. Sons and Daughters of hope. This spiritual heritage is what brings hope to life in us and what sustains us through all this life throws at us. It is also the hope of our future – our eternal future in Heaven with Him.
Go Back to Your Roots
Just as we came from this root of hope, we can go back to this root of hope for the strength to get through every day. Like trees, if we plant ourselves in the wrong place, we won’t have these deep roots that reach all the way back to the Living Water. This Living Water made us and sustains us. And the roots we grow from grow up and bear fruit and run right back to Him for sustenance.
Remember your roots when you start to feel unworthy and hopeless. Your heritage is a heritage of hope with deep roots that tie you to the King of Kings.
