Nativity Image by hudsoncrafted from Pixabay
“‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘ when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. ‘In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness.”
Jeremiah 33:14-16 NIV
There are numerous prophecies in the Old Testament pointing to a rescuer, one who will bring freedom, peace, justice, and righteousness. Then in the New Testament, we see over and over those promises are fulfilled in Jesus!
“In this passage, Jeremiah speaks of the restoration not simply of daily life (as momentous as that is), but also of one of the chief signs of God’s favor, the restoration of the Davidic line. A righteous Branch will sprout from the line of David. A similar image is found in Isaiah 11:1–“A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” The image is one of hope and unexpected joy: new life springing up from what looks like a dead stump.”
Kathryn Schifferdecker, Old Testament Professor
God fulfills His promises! He is the faithful One.
And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
Matthew 1:21-23 NLT
I read today that this keeping of promises should fill us with HOPE! He has promised to return, establish a new heavens, new earth, and reign forever. We can trust that He will fulfill these great promises simply because of His track record, His Word is true, and all of His promises find their YES in Jesus!
“And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”
Luke 21:25-28 NLT
Let’s stand, lift our heads, and sing out loud the words of Job … “I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end, he will stand upon the earth. … I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:25, 27)
Father, this incredible truth, that your birth was not a surprise, but foretold in detail in the ancient scriptures over and over, fills me with awe. Awe of you! Awe of your word and the great and mighty promises you will still fulfill! Thank you for revealing yourself to us through the babe of Bethlehem, through your word, through the image-bearers you place in our lives. Teach us to worship you this season of Advent – in spirit and truth. May our celebration of your first coming inspire us to stand, watch, and live with the expectancy of your second coming! Amen.
