We have life because God is faithful to his promises.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.”
Isaiah 11:1 English Standard Version

Don’t let this stump fool you. This aspen tree shall rise again. Many of you might think that aspen trees are beautiful, especially in the fall, and yes aspens are gorgeous…in the mountains. If you plant these trees around your house, you never get rid of them. They’re a weed.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Technically we have no aspen trees left at our house, but every year their roots send up suckers even when the trees have disappeared.

The people of Israel had become a stump. They had turned their backs on their covenant God and were sent into exile both in Assyria (the northern tribes) and Babylon (the nation of Judah). All that was left was a stump of a promise.

From that stump God brought back a remnant of his people to rebuild the nation.

From that stump God provided his Branch, Jesus Christ. God is faithful to his promises.

Maybe you’re going through a period in your life where you feel like this cut off aspen tree. In the midst of death God provides life by keeping his promise to you in the Righteous Branch, Jesus Christ.

Through his resurrection, Jesus provides life to all who cling to him. I’m not promising that everything is going to turn our wonderful in your life; that you will live “happily ever after.” What I am saying is that the Branch has come to give you life, even when you feel like a stump.

It’s all in his promise.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner