The Weekly Encourager – December 15, 2015 – Christmas Comfort

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

You will say in that day:
'I will give thanks to you, O Lord,
for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away, that you might comfort me.

'Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.'

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day:
'Give thanks to the Lord,
call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples,
proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sind praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
let this be made known in all the earth.
Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.'

Isaiah 11:1-3; 12:1-6

Too many funerals, so much sorrow. This is my only comfort: in Christmas we see Isaiah's prophecy fulfilled. God has reached down to His people to make a way through the wilderness of pain. This is the promise: in the vast dry desert of grief, there will always be an oasis. Jesus says, Come, fill your cup with living water from the wells of salvation. Let the cup overflow! Don't lose sight of the destination: a home with Jesus, and no more tears. May all our mourning be turned to dancing, and all our heartache to praise.

God is faithful,
j