Life in this Stump

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer

July 12: Isaiah 11-14; Hebrews 9

Scripture: Isaiah (NIV) 11:1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse, from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

Observation: At the end of Isaiah 6 we see that when the trees are cut down, stumps will remain in the land. In this verse we read about a shoot that will spring out of one of those stumps. The glory of the tree will be removed. It was no longer beautiful. It could no longer provide any shade. But the life remained in the stump! The seed promised to Adam and Eve was making its way through Jesse. This is a prophetic reference to Jesus coming as a descendent of Jesse, the father of King David.

Application: As I grow older, it seems like the tree of my life is being trimmed back. I am not able to do all that I once could do. But I am thankful that life remains in this stump! I am not just a stump—I am a stump with life! Fruitful shoots can still grow out of this stump!

Prayer: Lord, what a joy and blessing to have your life in me as I grow older. Even in the senior years there can be expressions of fruitful ministry! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!