Table of Contents

Preface:

I November 30 Introduction The Advent of Christ

First Focus: Hope

1 December 1 11: 1-2 Deep Rooted Hope

2 December 2 ​ I​ saiah 11: 3-4 Lost Frauds to Recovered Heirs

3 December 3 ​: 5 Safely Secured

4 December 4 ​ Isaiah 11: 6 Improbable Hope

5 December 5 ​Isaiah 11: 7-8 Walk in Peace and Hope

6 December 6 ​ Isaiah 11: 9-10 Better than a Vacation

Second Focus: Peace

7 December 7 ​: 19-20 Finding Light in the Darkness

8 December 8 ​ Isaiah 8: 21-22 Real Hope for Real Life

9 December 9 I​ saiah 9: 1-3 Peace and Humbled Beginnings

10 December 10 ​ : 4-5 War and Peace

11 December 11 ​ Isaiah 9: 6 Masterpiece of Peace

12 December 12 ​ Isaiah 9: 7 The Incomparable Gift of the Father

Third Focus: Love

13 December 13 : 1-2 Merciful Love of A Savior

14 December 14 I​ saiah 40: 3 Living with Clarity

15 December 15 ​ Isaiah 40: 4-5 See Christ Clearly

16 December 16 I​ saiah 40: 6-7 Eternal Comfort

17 December 17 I​ saiah 40: 8 Red Carpet Anticipation

18 December 18 I​ saiah 40: 9 Passion for Home

19 December 19 I​ saiah 40: 10-11 Safely Positioned

Fourth Focus: Presence

20 December 20 ​Isaiah 41: 1-6 Strength through Weakness

21 December 21 ​Isaiah 41: 7 United in Christ

22 December 22 ​ Isaiah 41: 8-9 Chosen Children

23 December 23 ​Isaiah 41: 10-11 Hope in the Midst of Fear

24 December 24 ​Isaiah 41: 12-13 Hope in Emmanuel

Advent: Arrival

25 December 25 ​ : 1-3 He was Sent to Send

November 30, 2020 The Advent of Christ Rob Harden

The Christmas season is a wonderful time of the year. It is a dedicated time for us to uniquely celebrate Christ. Although the world has a different focus, Christmas is a special time for the believer who fully understands the reason for the season. Believers are recipients of four special gifts that are especially prevalent at Christmas time: hope, joy, peace, and love. As a church family, our desire is that we will take advantage of this special time to intentionally experience the beauty of the season. Our goal is to ready ourselves in eager anticipation to experience God’s presence through this Advent season.

So, what exactly is Advent? Advent comes from the Latin word which means, “arrival” or “coming.” It is looking back to the world’s longing for a Savior (Christmas) and looking forward in anticipation of Christ’s return (second coming). In this special series, we will allow the Isaiah to lead us as we focus on the prophecies of Christ woven throughout this book, written over 700 years before Christ's birth. Isaiah never saw his prophecies come to pass. But we can rejoice now looking back at Jesus' birth, ministry, death, and resurrection. And with joy we look forward to Christ's return. Isaiah is a beautiful, prophetic book revealing God's love and plans for us. These visions and words speak of the restoration of God’s Kingdom, of the coming of Messiah, and the anticipation of complete fulfillment of God’s kingdom. Isaiah’s faithful announcement is that God will bring hope, joy, peace and love “down” to us.

As we open our hearts to the presence of God and receive his hope, joy, peace, and love, we clearly see God at work. All the while, we anticipate restoration through the Savior who will bring ultimate peace, justice, and righteousness into the world. Over the coming weeks, our desire is that we see and hear God’s great vision in a way that is so clear that we are blinded by his glory. Please join us as we journey through Advent together.

December 1, 2020 Deep Rooted Hope Corwin Oglesby

Isaiah 11:1-2 Then a shoot will grow from the stump of , and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. (CSB)

I remember once going on a walk and coming across an enormous oak tree. It had a massive trunk and its branches were a tree unto themselves. This tree was a sight to see, a statement of strength and longevity. A few years later, we walked that same path, and the great oak tree had fallen. You could see that at some point, branches had broken off and dropped to the ground. It had grown weak and could no longer withstand the rushing winds. I am no arborist, nor do I have a green thumb, but when I looked closer, I could see that the tree started to grow sprouts out of the roots that were still in the ground. The giant oak tree’s legacy would live on.

We often place our hope in the things that we can see or control. However, when those things come tumbling down, we can lose hope. The problem is our misplaced confidence. We have put our trust in the tree rather than the creator of the tree. We have placed our faith in the ​things​ of God rather than God himself. When earthly things fall short of our wants and desires, it doesn’t change God’s plan for us. God is not a man that he would lie, and his character doesn’t change because we do. That is where we should place our confidence and trust and then we’ll find hope.

December 2, 2020 Lost Frauds to Recovered Heirs Trent Egbert

Isaiah 11:3-4 His delight will be in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, he will not execute justice by what he hears with his ears, but he will judge the poor righteously and execute justice for the oppressed of the land. He will strike the land with a scepter from his mouth, and he will kill the wicked with a command from his lips. (CSB)

Do you ever feel like a fraud? You keep up appearances with what you say, how you dress, who you associate with, but you know that inside there is sin, there is failure, there is disappointment. Or maybe your struggle is the opposite and pride deceives your mind into thinking you have it all together.

If your struggle is misplaced pride, then verse three reminds you that you may be able to deceive yourself and other people, but you cannot deceive your Creator. Verse four says he will strike the land with a scepter from his mouth. That is referencing the Word of God. Read it honestly and be reminded of your desperate need for a Savior and recognize that we are all frauds, we are all poor, we are all oppressed by our sin. If we were to stop here, there would be no hope.

But there is hope like a new morning in verse four, “He will judge the poor righteously​ and execute justice for the oppressed of the land.” This use of “judge” is not a condemning but a making right of things. When Christ came as a savior, he came to “seek the lost” (Luke 19:10). He came to bring righteousness and justice to those who recognize they are lost frauds. Nothing we do could earn such love. Let us hope in “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

December 3, 2020 Safely Secured Hernan Urrego

Righteousness will be a belt around his hips; faithfulness will be a belt around his waist. - Isaiah 11:5 (CSB)

In this verse and the previous verses, Isaiah continues to lay out the bedrock of the character of the Messiah. At his core, the Messiah will be both righteous and faithful. This Messiah will go beyond the human capacity of merely knowing ​ right from wrong, but he will live out his moral superiority by ​doing the right thing e​ very​ ​time.​ He is faithful.

When I think of serving a “righteous God,” I sometimes fall into the trap of feeling fear and angst, waiting for him to drop the jackhammer of judgement for all the sin I have committed that violates his holy standard of living. Then when I look out at this broken world and all the pain and suffering, I feel overwhelmed and utterly powerless to bring change. However, as I reflect about these passages, hope emerges. How? In this advent season, we picture baby Jesus, born into humble circumstances, yet with the power to save humanity. He could have come in all his glory, raining down his righteous judgement as he did over . Yet, as stated in Philippians 2:6-7

“Though he (Jesus) was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

We are loved by an infinitely good, faithful and patient Savior. Let us celebrate that Jesus loved us so much that He emptied himself, He served us, and He died for us. He made a way for us to be redeemed from our sin so we could be righteous and faithful like him.

December 4, 2020 Improbable Hope Dhati Lewis

Isaiah 11:6 The wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat. The calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf will be together, and a child will lead them. (CSB)

I know 2020 has been brutal. It’s been a struggle for us all. And in seasons of prolonged struggle, it’s easy for us to move toward defensiveness, justified righteousness, and self exaltation. We build walls to protect ourselves. We build walls to protect our families. And without realizing it, we end up creating silos and divisions within our communities.

Passages like this remind us that we are not of this world and we have a hope that is outside of us. We have a hope that doesn’t make sense in the natural world. We have a hope that goes against all human logic. We have a hope. And we have a Savior. We do not need to lean on our own understanding because we can lean on the one who causes us to believe in the unbelievable - that a man can be resurrected, that God can become a boy, that mountains can move.

Hope is a call to look beyond what you can see, to have hope in what is promised to us. I know it seems impossible to imagine that democrats and republicans might be unified one day. I know it seems absurd to think that the chasms between people of different ethnicities and races might be healed one day. I know it seems impossible to imagine a day when people who are at odds with one another find true peace. But aren’t these things every bit as impossible as a wolf living with a lamb? Or a goal lying down with a leopard? Or even more — a little child leading them all?

May this Christmas season renew your hope in the improbable because we serve a God who does the impossible.

December 5, 2020 ​ Walk In Peace and Hope Morgan Nix

The cow and the bear will graze, their young ones will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like cattle. An infant will play beside the cobra’s pit, and a toddler will put his hand into a snake’s den. — Isaiah 11:7-8 (CSB)

Humanity longs for hope. We long for liberation from the oppression of anxiety, injustice, and the consequences of indwelling sin. Look at all the advertisements for sleep apps marketed to sleep-deprived, anxiety-ridden people. Or consider the celebrations that took place after the election results came in: they resembled responses that other countries have displayed when they have been delivered from a despotic regime. These advertisements and celebrations are offers of and the anticipation of h​ ope​.

Isaiah prophesied about a living hope. These verses find their fulfillment in the promised Messiah. Yet the fulfillment of these verses did not stop with Jesus’ earthly ministry. We are meant to be “one with the Lord” (John 17:22-23). This means we are conveyors of hope. Our dependence and obedience to Christ’s Spirit intends to bring such peace among former enemies that it is as though “the cow and the bear shall graze together.”

The first advent of Jesus began to bring about this paradoxical imagery. Zacchaeus, the infamous tax collector within his society, was transformed into a man of generosity by restoring even more than he stole. Paul, a terrorist against God’s people, turned into a conveyor of truth and hope to God’s people. And Jesus has continued his ministry through his people ever since.

As we walk by faith, “the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear of the Lord” rests upon us (Is. 11:2). Can you imagine these attributes being a source of hopeful liberation for the people around you? Jesus’ first advent can be realized afresh by every person we encounter if we walk by faith. The oppression brought about by the COVID era, a rough political season, and strenuous relationships find their remedy in the advent of Jesus. This takes place today through the church.

These verses are partially fulfilled now as we walk in oneness with the Spirit. Yet this vision remains only partially fulfilled. While the imagery carries symbolic meaning, many throughout history have believed that it also carries a future Edenic reality: “A weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.”1​ ​ A restoration to all that God initially deemed good. Life as God always intended it to be: God and man in perfect harmony, humanity practicing compassionate dominion over creation, and purpose, worth, and love ever before and in us. What an amazing hope we have coming our way for all eternity!!

However, to the original audience this entire prophecy must have seemed so far from their reality as to be tantamount to hopelessness. Yet in God’s sovereignty, we live on this side of the cross and can dimily see the hope conveyed in these verses. Much like the original audience, ours is a world full of people who have no concept of this current partial reality and therefore no concept at all of the future full reality. Our risen Lord has commissioned us to bring this message to a broken and oppressed world. We are the conduits of hope. Meditate on your future hope. Let it fill you and plead with the Spirit to “rest upon you” that you may deliver this eternal hope. There are many who live and die without embracing or even hearing this hope. May the grace of God revive us with such passion and love that we take this message to as many people as we can as long as we can.

1 ESV. (Wheaton: Crossway, 2007), 1262. Is. 11:6-9 Isaiah uses the imagery of his time to make one point: th​ e ear​ th shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord. The One whom rejected as unhelpful ​ renews the world. In Isaiah’s time, was to the nations, such as , as prey to fierce predators. The Messiah’s benevolent rule would change all that: the cow and the bear shall graze together. In ​ ​ the context of once predatory imperial powers coming under the Messiah’s sway, and thus learning to be peaceable. Understood this way, Isaiah speaks of a future Messianic age when the predatory nations, will no longer hurt or destroy God’s people. Other interpretations understand this as a reference to a future time when God will bring about a transformation of the earth, extending even to the animal kingdom, when the curse of Gen. 3:17-18 will be removed. This will remove the carnivorous nature of the wolf, bear, and cobra. Some interpreters think this will occur in a future millennial period, while others think it will occur in the new heavens and new earth.

Isaiah prophesied about “a shoot that would come forth from the stump of Jesse” (Is. 11:1). This shoot would have “the Spirit of the Lord resting upon him and would provide wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord” (Is. 11:2). This proclamation of hope is one that the original audience could only hope for their descendants, but that we get to live under.

Isaiah was a prophet sent to proclaim a message of impending oppression, but ultimately his message was one of hope. Our Lord conveyed to Isaiah that both Northern Israel and Judah would be sacked and exiled as consequences of their sin. Yet, this would not be the lot for God’s people forever. The enemy forces that God would use to punish and oppress the people of God would themselves be punished eventually. This future hope is depicted by way of imagery.

Isaiah 11:7-8 also falls under the category of now but not yet. Our risen Lord brought this imagery partially to fruition during his earthly traverse. Similar imagery is used in :28-34 where Isaiah talked about how the Lord will cut down the thickets of . The ​thickets of Lebanon​ along with the bear, cobra, a​ nd ​adder​ symbolized oppressive enemy forces that the Lord would deliver Northern Israel from. The Lord’s actions would do more than end the oppression, he would actually transform the predator prey, oppressor oppressed dynamic into peaceful interactions: t​ he cow shall graze with the bear.

This entire chapter is a prophecy of the anticipated Messiah who will bring about this transforming dynamic. And this is exactly what we see during the life of Jesus.

December 6, 2020 Better Than a Vacation Derwin Anderson

Isaiah 11:9-10 They will not harm or destroy each other on my entire holy mountain, for the land will be as full of the knowledge of the Lord as the sea is filled with water. On that day the root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will look to him for guidance, and his resting place will be glorious. (CSB)

God made us with a heart of anticipation and longing. This longing is actually what brings excitement to our lives. But the reality of sin also brings pain. At times, life seems to be one big disappointment. Our perspective, however, can change when we focus on the end goal. As a child growing up, my family went on many memorable vacations. Those vacations did not happen by chance. They were well planned and sacrifices were made to see them come to fruition. For almost the entire year leading up to the vacation, pennies were pinched and dollars were saved. The pain of going without certain things was temporary, but the joy that each vacation brought was worth it. As great as it was, eventually the “vacation high” came to an end.

In Isaiah 11, Isaiah is writing about a time that is to come, a time we can anticipate. It is so hard to imagine a world with no pain and complete peace. It's hard to imagine because we are surrounded by so much sin and devastation in this world. It's even harder to imagine that this is not how things will end. But the makes it clear that this is not our home and this is not how things will end. This encouragement gives us hope for our present suffering. Much like the anticipation we have for an upcoming vacation as we sacrifice all year, we can learn to see the beauty in the suffering and waiting. One day, the full knowledge of God will be revealed and invade every space as the water covers the sea. This is the hope for those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. Advent allows us to be recipients of that hope!

December 7, 2020 Finding Light In the Darkness Wesley Price

When they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the spiritists who chirp and mutter,” shouldn’t a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? Go to God’s instruction and testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, there will be no dawn for them. - Isaiah 8:19-20 (CSB)

Who are we listening to? If you’re anything like me, you’re not whipping out a Ouija Board for help. You're not calling The Psychic Friends Network to figure out what to do in life. No. We don’t go for “mediums and spiritists” or Tarot cards and flimflam artists. But, we are listening to something for guidance.

Each day we have decisions to make. Each day we have feelings about the decisions we have to make. Those feelings hand us a script or a catalog of all the times we’ve felt those feelings. That script tells a story. Often the script we’re handed tells a false story from the dark places of our past. And we listen. And we react.

But Christ offers a different story. He stands with a script that reads, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust God – and trust me, too! There is plenty of room to live in my father’s house … I am the way and the truth and the life.” Jesus invites us to consult God’s instruction with confident assurance. Christ is with us. Christ is for us. He stands with the power to turn us away from the dark stories we tell ourselves. He’s offering us the power of the resurrection to live according to the way of peace - the way of God’s design and God’s desire. He stands with the light of dawn to show us the way home: to himself, to the Father, and to a Spirit-led community of grace.

December 8, 2020 Real Hope for Real Life Antoine Williams

They will wander through the land, dejected and hungry. When they are famished, they will become enraged, and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. 22 They will look toward the earth and see only distress, darkness, and the gloom of affliction, and they will be driven into thick darkness. -- Isaiah 8:21-22 (CSB)

Life is good. Life is also tragic. How do we reconcile those two truths? Where do we go when we experience the crushing troubles of life? Can we truly find peace outside of God? The prophet Isaiah was called to deliver hard words of God’s coming judgment to the people of Israel. What he found is that many refused to accept the reality of the trouble that would come their way. They didn’t seek God in prayer and repentance. Instead, many shook their fists at God – cursing Him, and attempting to control life on their own terms. We can be tempted to do the same thing. While you may not seek out the services of mediums and various spiritualists, we often find ourselves turning to any number of things to soothe our souls in the midst of life’s challenges. We overeat, self medicate, veg out on our preferred streaming service, engage in unhealthy relationships – anything to avoid facing the sober reality that life is good, but also full of tragedy. But there is another way, captured in the soul satisfying words of Psalm 16. Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

We don’t have to settle for the superficial and fleeting pleasures that lead us to avoid our pain. We can take refuge in the Lord. We can take our pain to the One in whose presence there is fullness of joy. He offers us healing and refuge and comfort and peace even in the tragedies of life.

December 9, 2020 Peace and Humbled Beginnings Domingo Guyton

Isaiah 9:1-3 Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future he will bring honor to the way of the sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before you as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils. (CSB)

Banks of snow piled on the corners of Worcester and West Concord Streets. Boots, shined shoes, and heels crunch on the mix of salt and ice that lead to the side door of the historic church building, previously located at 740 Tremont Street in Boston, MA. As soon as you enter the doors, a gust of warm air greets your face, while you stomp the excess slush out of your shoe bottoms. The lights are off and the ushers are marching with candles in hand. The musicians are playing as the choir sings,

“Walk in the light, beautiful light, Come where the dew-drops of mercy are bright; Shine all around us by day and by night, Jesus, the light of the world.”

This is a small memory I had as a young boy going to Christmas services with my family. As I read the passage in Isaiah 9:1-3, it brought me back to this and the hope we have in Jesus Christ. We celebrate his birthday as a blessed memory of the Savior’s humble beginning.

What a year this has been for us. With so much darkness in our world today, the thought of Jesus being the light of the world should bring us a much-needed sense of peace.

“Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times.”

And why is this?

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.”

He was writing about us! We know who Jesus is and should be spreading His glorious truth. We have what the hurting need; inner peace and joy! No matter the weather, ongoing pandemic, election issues, social injustices and so on, as we continue to dwell in the shadow of death, let us be the light that shines, bringing peace to the world.

December 10, 2020 War and Peace Bryon Hand

Isaiah 9:4 For you have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor. (CSB)

Picture yourself in a war-torn country. You never know a day that is free from cruelty, deadly battles, and cultural and political reminders that your life does not belong to you. The boot of the oppressor is on your neck. Your life is not your own. This sets the context for the immense miracle declared in Isaiah 9:4, "​ For you [God] have ​shattered​ their [Israel's] oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor." T​ he yoke, rod, and staff are powerful word pictures of tools associated with tyrannical control, misery, oppression, and slavery. And Isaiah declares God has shattered them! Isaiah puts an exclamation point on this future promise by recalling God's miraculous rescue of Israel from Midianite oppression. God used an Israelite, Gideon, from the weakest family in the land, to capture two Midianite princes and free Israel.

Are you starting to see the picture Isaiah is laying out about how life in God’s Kingdom would work? Freedom from oppression and misery (peace) required two things: God's intervention through the most unlikely of people, and war. Isaiah 9:5 tells us, "F​ or every trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire.​" Peace then is not the absence of war, it is the presence of God in the midst of our misery.

Peace did not come to Israel through social negotiation or political restructuring. Peace enters in the form of God. Advent reminds us that we need a miraculous intervention to rescue us from the oppressive yoke of sin. We are ruled, not by a people, but by our desires, beliefs, and habits that war against God. We need a Prince of Peace who will rescue us from ourselves and our war with God ​and g​ overn us with justice and mercy.

December 11, 2020 Masterpiece of Peace Derwin Anderson

Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (CSB)

This is one of the most poignant pieces of artwork in all of history. You may wonder, how have these words become art? And how can we look at a text and literally see it as a masterpiece? Through the inspiration of Yahweh, Isaiah is painting a picture of One who is to come. A picture of progression, growth, and royalty is depicted in just a few words. In fact, one of the greatest musical masterpieces of all time used this text and many others to craft what we know as Handel’s Messiah. In 1741, George Frideric Handel used many biblical texts to write his musical masterpiece that received modest reception and was actually shunned by many. The Messiah eventually became one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in western music. Handel’s Messiah starts with prophecy of the coming messiah, covers the resurrection of the dead, and culminates with Christ's glorification in heaven. It ends with the well known "Hallelujah" chorus. Much like the masterpiece that Handel created, Isaiah’s text here speaks of this progression of the coming King.

We start off with a child being born who will one day rule the world. The imagery is not just poetic and masterful, it is reality. The coming birth of a child was announced with the result being rulership and authority of the government; not governments, but THE government. This child will one day have supreme reign over all. This Child is one who has always existed and will become localized on earth to fulfill this powerful proclamation. This child is the long awaited Son of God. The text is not just poetic and masterful in its presentation but also in its context. This child will become the very one who will bring tangible components of love and mercy to his followers and ultimately the world. He will bring guidance and direction as our Wonderful Counselor. He will bring strength and power as our Mighty God. He will bring

security and hope as our Eternal Father. He will bring comfort and joy as our Prince of Peace. Just like Handel’s Messiah, the Messiah was rejected and not received by many. But there will come a day that the Messiah, the son of the one and only true God, will be made known to all. And on that day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord.

December 12, 2020 The Incomparable Gift of the Father Lucius Rouser IV

ISAIAH 9:7 The dominion​ w​ ill be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this. (CSB)

During this season, many thoughts linger in our minds like “What will I give? What will I receive?” We may not admit it, but we are hoping to receive equal to what we give, right? Nobody gives airpods to receive socks. And when it does happen, you find yourself seeking justice the next year by buying everyone candles and robes. You don’t have to raise your hands. We know who you are.

Though this is a minor issue to receive justice for, it still displays how we usually react to our issues, especially bigger issues in our lives and in the world. We respond with revenge till equality shows up. That’s funny because we receive gifts from God all the time that are not equal to what He gives us. Isaiah 9:7 reminds us that Yahweh gave us an infinite government, a kingdom of justice and righteousness, which will produce peace on earth that we’ve been longing for.

Hallelujah! Through Yeshua comes a kingdom. And this government, this kingdom, will bring balance, equality and opportunity for all, which is ​justice,​ through restoring right relationships between God and man, and man and man, which is r​ ighteousness, and this is forever! ​So we may not know if we will receive what we hoped for when it comes to Christmas gifts, but we do know what we have received through the coming of Christ - peace in chaos through justice and righteousness. And we know the value between what He has given us and what we give Him is incomparable. Selah

December 13, 2020 Merciful Love of A Savior Rob Harden

Isaiah 40:1-2 “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to , and announce to her that her time of hard service is over, her iniquity has been pardoned, and she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” (CSB)

In the , we are turning the corner into chapter forty where a major announcement is being delivered. Chapter thirty-nine left us with a very disturbing prophecy. God’s people would be carried off into captivity as a result of their sin towards their God. Sadly, we know this prophecy came true around 100 years after Isaiah delivered the bad news. And now, the first word of chapter 40 is “comfort.” It’s even repeated twice. Not only that, God tells His prophet exactly how he wants him to deliver these words. He tells him to “speak tenderly,” as if God wanted His heart to be seen within the words of this message.

You can think about this like the loving embrace after the intentional spanking He just gave them. Or maybe you will feel the pain more if I use the word “whoopin!” Have you ever received a loving hug immediately after a good whoopin? What’s confusing is, the parent who gave you the whoopin is sometimes crying as they lovingly embrace you. Now both of you are crying, but for two different reasons!

God is saying, you got what you deserved. Now you are about to receive what you don’t deserve – grace! Your sins have been pardoned. What God is going to say in the next verses of this prophecy is meant to bring “tidings of comfort and joy.” God is sending the source of comfort. The source of your comfort is on the way to you. The original hearers of this prophecy didn’t really get how all of this was going to unfold, but they longed for it. They wanted comfort from the weight of their sin. But would they recognize Him?

We see it in HD now because we have the privilege of living after this portion of the prophecy has been fulfilled. Let’s take comfort in knowing that just like

God kept his promise and brought Jesus into the world to pardon us from our sin, He will also send Jesus back to earth like he said he would to redeem the earth and make all things new (Rev. 21:5). This will provide eternal comfort.

December 14, 2020 Living with Clarity Corwin Oglesby

A voice of one crying out: “Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.” Isaiah 40:3 (CSB)

Have you ever been so caught up in what you believed that you couldn’t hear what was being said to you? That happened to me the other day. I assumed I knew an answer and even kept saying the wrong answer out loud. I assumed I wouldn’t get what I asked for. I never considered that the answer might go in my favor. So when it did, I struggled to enjoy it. I was so afraid of being hurt or let down that I couldn’t make room for the gift God was giving me.

The person who was with me had to yell at me, “Be quiet and listen! You’re actually getting what you desire.” In this season, life can sometimes be so loud you can’t even hear what God is saying. If we aren’t willing to make room for Him, we won’t get to experience the full joy He has waiting for us. One of my favorite songs is a song called Make Room. The songwriter says, “I make time for what I treasure, I make time for what I want. Jesus, you’re my priority, Jesus you’re my number one.”

Today, take time to prioritize Jesus. Make him your number one priority. Clear out the path so that we can enjoy the gift of the Son.

December 15, 2020 See Christ Clearly Trent Egbert

Isaiah 40:4-5 Every valley will be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be leveled; the uneven ground will become smooth and the rough places, a plain. And the glory of the Lord will appear, and all humanity together will see it, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. (CSB)

Where do you focus most of your time and energy? Is it climbing the corporate ladder, self-care, having control, seeking comfort, or one of infinitely more options? Tim Keller says that, “Idolatry is turning a good thing into an ultimate thing.” God’s goal is very clear: to make his name known throughout all the earth, to be the ultimate thing. One way he does this is by giving those who believe in him a clear line of sight to see our savior in all his glory.

When we remove the mountains that are distracting us from seeing his glory and we spend time in his word, in prayer, in worship and with his church, then we see him more clearly, know him more fully and better trust his promises to lead us, strengthen us, and make our paths straight.

Jesus took the form of a servant and died the most humiliating death because he loved us. And because of this act of love, Paul writes in Philippians 2:9-11 that “God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow…” As we celebrate his birth and await his final return, let us pour our energy into removing distractions, seeing him clearly, and making him ultimate.

December 16, 2020 Eternal Comfort Hernan Urrego

A voice was saying, “Cry out! ” Another said, “What should I cry out? ” “All humanity is grass, and all its goodness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flowers fade when the breath of the Lord blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. — Isaiah 40:6-7 (CSB)

Isaiah was given a single command. “Cry!” His response was quick and obedient, responding as he faithfully did in . “What shall I cry?” The Lord then proceeds with a very sober message that cuts to the heart of our mortality. We work tirelessly for many things that we are told by the world will satisfy: beauty, wealth, influence. This passage shows us that these pursuits, as well as our very own bodies, are temporary and will one day fade away. Covid-19, social ills, and racial disparities, have caused us to come face to face with our own mortality in a way that some of us have never felt before. As believers, what is our response? During Advent, we celebrate the “coming” of Jesus because his life, death and resurrection paved the way for us to be reconciled to God so that we could spend eternity with him. Jesus states in John 14:2-3 “ In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

Therefore, as believers, we have hope that no matter what happens in this life, we will be with Jesus when we take our last breath. As we meditate on these verses, I pray that it brings us much comfort and peace. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be aware that our time on earth is short. God “has put eternity in the human heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). As the world struggles with the pains of this world, let our peace and hope of eternity with the Lord, be a door into the hearts of neighbors. Let these verses encourage us to share our hope with our non-believing friends.

December 17, 2020 Red Carpet Anticipation Dhati Lewis

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever. (CSB)

Growing up as a boy in Hollywood, California, I often walked down Hollywood Boulevard and saw lots of different stars and celebrities. It wasn’t uncommon to see a red carpet lining the streets, symbolizing and announcing the arrival of an important person. And when the red carpets rolled out, people from all different walks of life would gather together in anticipation of the star. There was a collective sense of hope for that moment. Because in that moment, no matter what people were going through, no matter how hard their life was, in that moment it all faded into the background of anticipation at the arrival of someone they idolized or admired.

In Isaiah 40, Isaiah is offering comfort and encouragement because the Savior is coming. He says to “Prepare the way of the Lord,” and to “Make a straight highway for our God” (Is.40:3). He goes on to remind the people that the Savior who is coming will — not for a moment, but for all eternity — wipe away all tears, ease all hardships, heal all pains, and will return us to a garden-like state when we walked with God in the cool of the day.

In verses six and seven Isaiah points out the frailty of humanity, how our goodness comes and goes like a fading flower. Verse eight comes in as a resounding conclusion to this. Yes, humanity is like grass. Yes, all the worldly things of this life fade like flowers. But God’s Word remains unchanged. His promises are unmoved. His hope is unwavering.

As I read this, I feel encouraged to remember that the terrible hardships, pain, trauma, and heartaches of this life — are just that — they’re of this life. They’re temporary. They will wither like the grass and fade like the flower. But God’s

promises, His Word, will remain forever. And I pray this reminder gives us hope and comfort as we await God’s red carpet event, when He will return and fulfill every promise and heal every wound.

December 18, 2020 Passion for Home Morgan Nix

Zion, herald of good news, go up on a high mountain. Jerusalem, herald of good news, raise your voice loudly. Raise it, do not be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God! ” - Isaiah 40:9 (CSB)

In one of my favorite movies, ​Blood Diamond, ​Solomon Vandy and his son Dia are dragged into a chaotic civil war fueled by the blood diamond trade. Amidst the chaos, Dia is abducted by rebel militias and enlisted as one of their child soldiers. One of the most enthralling aspects of this movie is Solomon’s tireless passion to get his son back. There is literally no risk Solomon does not take, no amount of energy he does not spend, nor any distance he does not traverse in order to lay claim to his son again. In a phrase, this is a vivid display of love.

When Jesus began his earthly ministry, this brought to fruition a vivid description of love as stated by the prophet Isaiah. Yet even with all his prophetic power Isaiah could not fully paint the scene of love that is the incarnation of our Lord Jesus. As Jesus walked throughout the mountainous region of Judah, a distant prophecy was realized: ​ became a herald of good news! E​ very step Jesus took, every word he spoke were witness to his willingness to traverse any distance, to spend every drop of energy to lay claim to the sons and daughters of his kingdom.

The good news came out of Zion and the ultimate revelation of this good news was hung on a cross outside of Jerusalem’s gates. For Jesus, there was no risk he was not willing to take in order to lay claim to the sons and daughters of his kingdom. This display of love was vividly painted in blood, then transformed into resurrected heavenly glory.

Blood Diamond ​is a captivating story, yet it is a fictional depiction of a modern travesty. The story of Jesus’ first Advent captivates ​and i​ s true through and through. So this Advent season, revel in the vivid love story our risen Lord has written. Let this historical story drive your focus to the future Advent when we will experience unimaginable love for all eternity.

December 19, 2020 Safely Positioned Derwin Anderson

Isaiah 40:10-11 See, the Lord God comes with strength, and his power establishes his rule. His wages are with him, and his reward accompanies him. He protects his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them in the fold of his garment. He gently leads those that are nursing. (CSB)

She watched all of the children get on the school bus that cold December morning. Under the protection of their bus driver, Tameka felt secure and calm about what the day would bring. In fact, it was this way every school day. Jackson safely arrived at school and went about his day. But he could not have imagined the horror that awaited him that afternoon. At exactly 1:36pm, the Freemont Middle School was placed on lockdown due to a confirmed shooter. Every parent’s nightmare had now become their reality. Tameka watched the news in disbelief and absolute terror. But she was unaware of what was actually taking place in Mr. Adams’ 4th period math tutoring lab.

Mr. Adams cared for his students like they were his very own. He always said he was willing to give his life for the safety and well being of his students. Well that day his well meaning words were put to the ultimate test. As the shooter was frantically passing by his classroom, he was acting as a human shield covering his six students in the corner of the room. From the window in the door, the shooter could not see the students and continued to run down the hall. Mr. Adams stayed in this position for over almost thirty minutes, not knowing what was taking place throughout the school halls and rooms. At exactly 2:03pm, the shooter was cornered and shot as he was exiting a supply closet and trying to kill some students who were attempting to make their way down a staircase.

What a crazy story, but the ending is one of joy. Only four students were actually shot and no one lost their lives or suffered any physical, permanent damage. There are, of course, many other wounds that with time will hopefully heal. This entire story is what a life protected by the Good Shepherd looks like. It is not a life free of pain and problems. But in the midst of the storms, the Lord gathers his lambs in his arms. Just like Mr. Adams gathered his students and kept them safe, our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, covers us and gently shelters us in his arms of safety. The life of a believer is safely positioned for an eternal home that is free from heartache or pain. We never know what the day may bring, but we know the way has been prepared by our Good Shepherd.

December 20, 2020 Strength Through Weakness Wesley Price

Be silent before me, coasts and islands! And let peoples renew their strength. Let them approach; let them testify; let’s come together for the trial. Who has stirred up someone from the east? In righteousness he calls him to serve. The Lord hands nations over to him, and he subdues kings. He makes them like dust with his sword, like wind-driven stubble with his bow. He pursues them, going on safely, hardly touching the path with his feet. Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I am the Lord, the first and with the last ​— ​I am he.” The coasts and islands see and are afraid, the whole earth trembles. They approach and arrive. Each one helps the other, and says to another, “Take courage! ” - Isaiah 41:1-6 (CSB)

Do you know what the problem with being strong is? Strong people can never be weak. But weakness, powerlessness, and humility are human characteristics. We are made in the image of God, but we are not gods. We need help. We don’t have power over people and circumstances. Things that are larger than life humble us. God made us that way.

Look at the response of the nations described in this passage. God raises up a pagan ruler, Cyrus, to punish for its crimes against Israel. God Himself is acting and working through Cyrus. But the surrounding nations do not respond with healthy fear and appropriate humility. The “lands beyond

the sea” rage against God’s power. They “encourage one another” to “be strong.” That phrase means that they spur each other on to harden themselves (their hearts). So they call upon idols and symbols of power.

Today we may not be faced with anything so daunting as an invading army. But we will hear the call to run away from how God made us. There will be situations that bring us face to face with our own humanity. We will have opportunities to be people who feel our God-Given limitations. We will have chances to need help, trust the God-of-Help, and reach out for help from the Lord and from His people. We don’t have to harden our hearts and be strong. We can be fully present to the God who is fully present to us. The power of the resurrection gives us the strength and courage we need. God made us to be desperately needy for Christ and the people of God. Let's run to Him and to our family!

December 21, 2020 United in Christ Antoine Williams

Isaiah 41:7 The craftsman encourages the metalworker; the one who flattens with the hammer encourages the one who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good.” He fastens it with nails so that it will not fall over. (CSB)

Unity, togetherness, and family are things we all crave. They are hardwired into our soul by God who created us to be in relationship with himself and one another. When deprived of these things, men will seek them out by any means — some noble, some not.

When I worked as a juvenile corrections officer, I noticed that a large number of the boys in our facility were members of gangs. However, none of the boys ever referred to them as such. Almost universally they were referred to as families. In lieu of a healthy home, these “families” provided them protection, relationship, comradery, purpose and self esteem.

When I read Isaiah 41:7, it sounds like an account of model behavior. It seems to show a unified effort among people of differing crafts, working together for a purpose that extends beyond their personal glory. Under further examination however, we see that there was more going on. The language used here is mirrored in other places within the book of Isaiah (see :8, 40:18-20, 44:13). What we find is that the people were combining their efforts in the service of creating idols in opposition to the God of Israel.

One of the purposes for the incarnation of Christ was to make possible our adoption into the family of God. He created a family from scattered people groups across the face of this earth, eternally bound together in unity WITH God. Let us strive for the unity and peace the Christ provided for us.

Let’s close with a prayer from Jesus himself to best drive home this point.

I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in me through their word. May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in

you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me, so that they may be made completely one, that the world may know you have sent me and have loved them as you have loved me. - John 17:20-23

December 22, 2020 Chosen Children Domingo Guyton

Isaiah 41:8-10 But you, Israel, my servant, , whom I have chosen, descendant of , my friend—I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said to you: You are my servant; I have chosen you; I haven’t rejected you. Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. (CSB)

The prophet Isaiah was sent to warn Abraham’s descendants about the dangers of turning away from God, but the kept ignoring the warnings. These prophecies also contained the foretelling of the coming of the Lord, how his presence would change history and how, after his departure, the presence of the Holy Spirit would help guide us. Isaiah 41:8-10 is a reminder of these promises given to Abraham.

In Genesis 17, Israel was selected to be God’s chosen people, not because they were obedient, but because of God’s mercy and love. We have a very similar situation today. We are chosen by God to represent his Kingdom, not because we deserve it, but because God loves us. When we accepted the Lord as our personal Savior, we became his servants.

Isaiah 41:10 reminds us that God is with us in our fears and that we can trust him. When we allow fear to control us, we tend to lean on our own understanding, not acknowledging God’s wisdom and presence with us (Proverbs 3:5-6). Just like the Israelites, our plans become our own gods and we solicit the Lord for His blessing on our requests, disregarding his call to authentic relationship with us. But God is right there, always doing his part, loving us, pursuing us, and calling us back to himself. He is ever-present, and this is the best gift we will ever receive. Now we must share this wonderful gift with the world.

December 23, 2020 Hope in the Midst of Fear Bryon Hand

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. Be sure that all who are enraged against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will become as nothing and will perish. — Isaiah 41:10-11 (CSB)

The year my nana and papa (grandma and grandpa) died was the most painful and joyful year of my life. It was the same year I married my beautiful bride. Thanksgiving and Christmas were painful reminders of what our family lost. Yet it was also the entrance of new beginnings through marriage and extended family. To be candid, my ability to welcome and embrace this new season, both the sadness and joys, revealed many of my weaknesses and areas I needed to spiritually mature. Advent for me in 2013 was both grief and celebration. For many, the experience each year runs a similar theme. Advent reminds us of the comforts and joys we experience through the presence of those we love. Yet, this year in 2020, it may also be a reminder of the pain and grief due to their absence - either by choice or by consequence of a sickness or even death. What this does to our hearts is stir up fear and anxiety as we are reminded about our human frailness and that life truly is a ‘vapor’.

Isaiah 41:10 tells us God knows his people are afraid and need his presence by saying, “Do not fear, for I am with you.” For some of you, that statement may sound almost too familiar. It is a statement God makes throughout the Scripture. But think about the power of starting with “Do not fear.” When would that matter to someone? When you are in a crisis, right? When you need help, wisdom, and a way forward in a very dark place. God is telling his people, Israel, do not be afraid because, "...​I will strengthen ​ ​you; ​ ​I will ​ ​help ​ y​ ou; I will​ h​ old on ​ t​ o you with my righteous right hand.” G​ od's command to not be afraid is given white hot significance by declaring his promise to help us when we slip, strengthen us when we are weak, and to sustain us through life's messiness.

What is your hope as you reflect on who will be with you this year? Today, the pressure to make the ‘right’ decision about personal and family health can lead us to feel like we are saviors one minute or embittered enemies the next. The promise to us in Isaiah was the flesh and blood presence of our true Savior. That Savior, Jesus, came to be w​ ith us, to help us, to sustain us. ​Let that be your hope as you reflect on who will, or will not, be with you this year.

December 24, 2020 Hope in Wesley Price

You will look for those who contend with you, but you will not find them. Those who war against you will become absolutely nothing. For I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand, who says to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:12-13 (CSB)

In some ways I like Christmas Eve better than Christmas Day. Sure, Christmas Day is great! You’ve got presents and sausage cheese balls. You’ve got excited children and sausage cheese balls. You’ve even got friends and relatives showing up here and there. I mentioned sausage cheese balls, right?

But Christmas Eve...it’s so beautiful. It’s filled with anticipation and excitement for what’s about to happen. It’s uncluttered, in a way. Literally, there’s not wrapping paper and packaging all over the place. But also emotionally and spiritually, it’s uncluttered. Maybe it’s just me, and maybe I’m a little crazy. I love Christmas Eve. It feels more exciting than Christmas Day.

So, as we feel excitement for Christmas Day, think about the expectant Mary. Think about the looming questions for her and for Joseph: “What’s going to happen? How is this going to work out?” Their only assurance? Immanuel: God is going to be with us.

Now, think of Isaiah. Think of Israel hearing this passage. War will be over? Our enemies nowhere to be found? How is this going to happen? What assurance can we possibly have? Immanuel: God is going to be with us.

So, on the eve of this Christmas, what are you hoping for? What are you anticipating? What has got you wondering, "How is this going to work out? How could I even dare to hope for such a thing? How can I be sure?" You know the answer. Immanuel: God is going to be with you.

That doesn't mean that it will be easy. That doesn't mean you'll get everything you want exactly as you want it. No. It means that The Lord will be with you.

He's the One "who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."

December 25 HE WAS SENT TO SEND Lucius Rouser IV Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. ​He has sent me t​ o heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of our God’s vengeance; to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion; to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair. A​ nd they will be called righteous trees, ​planted by the Lord ​to glorify him​. (CSB)

This is the Old Testament scripture read by Jesus at the start of His ministry after being baptized and tempted by the devil in Luke 4. Let’s first make clear that Isaiah 61:1 confirms that Jesus was sent. Luke 4 confirms that He came. What did He come to do? Well, Isaiah 61:1-3 says He came to bring good news, healing, liberty, freedom, comfort and proclamation of God’s judgement and peace to the earth.

We pray and hope our family and neighbors experience these gifts. I want to encourage you with the truth that Yahweh does as well. See, these wonderful gifts that are given ​to ​ us, they were also meant to be given t​ hrough ​ us. Verse three says “They will be called righteous trees planted by the Lord to glorify Him.” Who do you think these trees are? You and I are those trees. We have been planted on earth to glorify Jesus through growing in the gospel in the context of family, ​while living on mission​. So be encouraged, as you live as a missionary where you live, work and play, knowing that Jesus was sent to send you. Selah