Unimaginable Hope: Embracing God's Peace and Leadership

Devotional

Day 1: God Works in Unimaginable and Unprecedented Ways

Even when life seems cut down to a stump and hope appears lost, God is able to bring forth new life and deliverance in ways that defy our expectations and understanding. The story of the shoot from the stump of Jesse reminds us that God’s plans are not hindered by our circumstances or by what seems impossible to us. When we feel written off or when the odds are stacked against us, God is still at work, orchestrating redemption and hope in the most unlikely places. Trust that God’s timing and methods may surprise you, but they are always for your good and His glory. [46:16]

Isaiah 11:1-2 (ESV)
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.

Reflection: When have you felt like your situation was hopeless or cut down, and how might you look for signs of God’s new work in your life today, even if it comes in an unexpected form?

Day 2: The Messiah King’s Unprecedented Character

Unlike any earthly ruler, the Messiah King is marked by the Spirit of the Lord resting upon Him, bringing wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord. His leadership is not tainted by self-interest or corruption, but is defined by righteousness and faithfulness at His very core. Even when stripped of all outward appearances, His character remains pure and just, setting a standard for all who would lead and serve. This is the kind of King we have in Jesus—one who delights in doing the will of the Father and who leads with perfect integrity. [56:26]

Isaiah 11:3-5 (ESV)
And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

Reflection: In what area of your life can you strive to reflect the righteousness and faithfulness of Christ, even when no one else is watching?

Day 3: God’s Peace Transforms the Heart, Not Just the Circumstances

The peace that the Messiah brings is not merely the absence of conflict, but a deep, transformative unity that changes the very instincts and nature of those who receive it. Just as the wolf dwells with the lamb and the child plays safely near the cobra, God’s peace brings together what was once divided and hostile. This peace is possible only when God does a work within our hearts, changing us from the inside out, so that we can live in true unity and fellowship with others, even in a world full of chaos. [01:03:37]

Isaiah 11:6-9 (ESV)
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Reflection: Who in your life do you find it hardest to be at peace with, and how can you invite God to do a work in your heart toward unity and reconciliation today?

Day 4: God’s Peace Surpasses Understanding Amid Chaos

True peace is not found in the absence of trouble, but in the calm assurance that God is with you even when storms rage all around. Like the mother bird nesting behind a roaring waterfall, you can have peace in your heart despite the chaos outside. This peace, given by Christ, guards your heart and mind and enables you to keep moving forward, trusting that God is in control and working all things for your good. Let this peace anchor you, no matter what your circumstances look like. [01:08:55]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What is one area of chaos or anxiety in your life right now, and how can you intentionally invite God’s peace to guard your heart and mind today?

Day 5: Know God for Yourself and Let Him Use You

It is not enough to rely on the faith of others or the testimonies of the past; each person must come to know God personally and allow Him to work in and through their life. When you seek God for yourself, He equips you to be impactful in your community and to share the love and hope of Christ with others. God’s purpose is not just for you to receive, but to be a vessel through which His grace and power flow to the world around you. [01:16:00]

Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Reflection: What is one step you can take today to deepen your personal relationship with God and make yourself available for Him to use you in someone else’s life?

Sermon Summary

God is able to do the unimaginable, to work miracles in the most unlikely circumstances, and to bring hope where hope seems lost. Throughout history and in our own lives, God has shown that He is not limited by our expectations or the bleakness of our situations. Just as He delivered the Israelites from Pharaoh, just as He brought forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse when the Davidic dynasty seemed dead, God continues to move in ways that defy human logic and surpass our imagination. The prophecy of Isaiah 11 reminds us that God’s answer to oppression and despair was not a show of military might, but the birth of a child—a King unlike any other, who would reign with righteousness, faithfulness, and peace.

This King, Jesus, is distinguished not by outward power or political strategy, but by the Spirit of the Lord resting upon Him—wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord. His leadership is marked by justice for the poor, equity for the meek, and a deep, intrinsic righteousness and faithfulness that cannot be stripped away. Unlike the flawed leaders of this world, Jesus embodies true leadership, serving not for His own gain but to bring God’s grace to us all.

Isaiah’s vision paints a picture of unprecedented peace—a world where natural enemies dwell together in harmony, where the vulnerable are safe, and where unity is not just the absence of conflict but a transformation of hearts. This peace is not merely external; it is a deep, inner assurance that God is at work, even when chaos surrounds us. True peace is not found in the absence of trouble, but in the presence of God, who gives us calm and assurance in the midst of life’s storms.

As we move into a new season, we are called to know God for ourselves, to let Him use us, and to be agents of His peace and unity in the world. Our hope is not in what we see or in the plans we make, but in the God who brings life out of stumps, who answers prayers in ways we never imagined, and who reigns as the Prince of Peace. Let us trust Him, praise Him, and allow His peace to guard our hearts and minds.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Deliverance Comes in Unimaginable Ways God often answers our deepest needs in ways we could never predict or even imagine. When all hope seems lost and circumstances appear lifeless, God brings forth new life and deliverance, just as He brought a shoot from the stump of Jesse. Our limitations are not God’s limitations; He specializes in doing His best work when the odds are stacked against us. [46:16]
2. The Messiah’s Leadership Is Defined by Righteousness and Faithfulness Unlike earthly leaders who are swayed by self-interest or public opinion, Jesus reigns with a righteousness and faithfulness that is intrinsic to His very being. Even if everything else is stripped away, what remains at His core is justice, equity, and unwavering commitment to God’s will. This is the model of leadership we are called to emulate—serving others with integrity, regardless of external pressures. [56:26]
3. True Peace Is a Transformation of the Heart, Not Just the Absence of Conflict Isaiah’s vision of predators and prey living together is not just about outward harmony, but about a profound change within. Real peace comes when God transforms our hearts, subduing our instincts and fears, and enabling us to live in unity with others. This peace is possible only through the reign of Christ in our lives, and it calls us to partner with God in seeking reconciliation and unity in our world. [61:41]
4. Experiencing God’s Peace Amid Chaos Peace is not the absence of storms, but the presence of calm and assurance in the midst of them. Like the mother bird nesting behind a raging waterfall, we can have peace that surpasses understanding even when life is turbulent. This peace is rooted in trust that God is in control, working all things for our good, and it enables us to say, “It is well with my soul,” no matter our circumstances. [68:15]
5. Our Calling Is to Know God Personally and Be Used by Him It is not enough to rely on the faith of our ancestors or the testimony of others; we must know God for ourselves. As we enter new seasons, God desires to use each of us individually to impact the world around us. When we allow God to work in and through us, we become vessels of His grace, peace, and transformative power to those in need.

** [76:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[28:52] - God Is Able: Testimonies of His Power
[31:32] - Reading Isaiah 11:1-9
[34:21] - Who Would Imagine a King?
[35:40] - God’s Unpredictable Deliverance
[38:18] - The Promise of a Different King
[40:15] - God’s Unexpected Answers
[43:41] - Hope from the Stump: The Shoot of Jesse
[46:16] - God Works in Hopeless Situations
[49:30] - God’s Miraculous Ways in History
[51:21] - The Messiah’s Unprecedented Character
[53:04] - The Spirit’s Role in the Messiah
[55:06] - Righteousness and Justice of the King
[58:56] - The Reign of Peace and Unity
[61:41] - True Peace: Transformation of the Heart
[65:05] - Experiencing God Through Christ
[68:15] - Peace in the Midst of Chaos
[70:59] - Christ: King of Kings and Prince of Peace
[74:03] - Invitation to Know Jesus
[76:00] - Let God Use You in the New Season
[79:20] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Isaiah 11:1-9 (ESV) —
> 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.
> He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
> or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
> but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
> and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
> and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
> and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
> Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,
> and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
> The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
> and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
> and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;
> and a little child shall lead them.
> The cow and the bear shall graze;
> their young shall lie down together;
> and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
> The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra,
> and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.
> They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain;
> for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord
> as the waters cover the sea.

Observation Questions

According to Isaiah 11:1-2, what are the qualities that the Spirit of the Lord gives to the coming King?
In verses 3-5, how is the Messiah’s way of judging and leading different from earthly leaders?
What images does Isaiah use in verses 6-9 to describe the peace that will come under the Messiah’s reign?
The sermon mentions that God often works in ways we do not expect, like bringing a shoot from a stump. What does the “stump of Jesse” represent in this passage? [[44:20]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says God’s deliverance often comes in unimaginable ways. Why do you think God chooses to work in ways that surprise us or seem impossible? [[46:16]]
The Messiah is described as having righteousness and faithfulness at his core, even if everything else is stripped away. What does this say about the kind of leadership God values? [[56:26]]
Isaiah’s vision of peace is not just about animals getting along, but about a transformation of hearts. What does it mean for peace to be more than just the absence of conflict? [[01:01:41]]
The sermon compares true peace to a mother bird nesting behind a raging waterfall. How does this image help us understand the kind of peace God offers? [[01:08:15]]

Application Questions

Think about a time when you felt like your situation was hopeless or “cut down.” Did you see God work in a way you didn’t expect? How did that change your faith? [[46:16]]
The sermon says Jesus leads with justice for the poor and equity for the meek. Are there people in your life or community who need to experience this kind of justice and fairness from you? What is one step you can take this week? [[55:06]]
Isaiah’s vision is of natural enemies living together in peace. Is there someone in your life you find it hard to be at peace with? What would it look like to let God transform your heart toward them? [[01:01:41]]
The peace God gives is not about everything being calm on the outside, but about having assurance on the inside. What is one area of your life where you need to experience God’s peace right now? [[01:08:15]]
The sermon challenges us to know God for ourselves, not just through the faith of others. What is one way you can seek to know God more personally this week? [[01:16:00]]
As we move into a new season, the pastor encouraged us to let God use us. Is there a specific way you feel God might be calling you to serve or bring peace to others? What’s holding you back? [[01:16:00]]
The Messiah’s leadership is marked by integrity, even when no one is watching. Are there areas in your life where you need to lead or serve with more integrity? What would it look like to make that change? [[56:26]]

Sermon Clips

One of the confounding realities about our God is that as faithful dependable and consistent as our God is God often works in unpredictable and even unprecedented ways. Even more mindblowing as I think about this that God moves and works in these ways when it seems that a favorable outcome is improbable. [00:35:20]

Possibly some of you who are in this place today maybe you're streaming online today and you can testify that it was not only when you were down to your last almost counted out or when you were about to give out that God intervened in your life's circumstances but it's it's also that God moved in your situation and worked things out in a way that you could never have fathomemed. [00:35:22]

He gives these people the the reassurance that help is on the way and that God has not forgotten about them and although help is on the way God does not respond immediately and when God will respond God will not respond in a way uh that one would think that God should have responded to a community who is living under the threat of a real existential attack on their existence. [00:37:10]

But the promise of God of the prophecy of Isaiah is that this king who is to come through the line of David is going to be a king that will be like no other king when he sits on the throne his reign is going to be forever and ever. [00:39:29]

It is a reminder to us that All that that that that comes that they all it all comes at a time and not only in human history but in our lives that God flexes the muscles of his sovereignty where he lets us know that he is liable to answer our deepest needs in unexpected and even in unusual ways. [00:40:44]

We may not understand how God is working but we should be reassured that God when God hears our prayer when God responds to our cry God will show us and he will show out uh and he will show us time and time again that he is able to do exceeding abundantly more than we can ask or even imagine. [00:41:17]

Yes God can answer our prayers in a way that will absolutely just blow our minds uh uh but I guarantee you that when God answers our prayers when God answers our prayers uh we will know that God has given us exactly what we needed. [00:42:05]

The king demonstrates in his coming to the world demonstrates power in unforeseen circumstances. Chapter 11 opens up with a power opens up with a uh a bright picture that when uh it's a brighter picture than what took place in Isaiah chapter 10 because Isaiah chapter 10 ends with God's judgment being uh visited upon Assyria who had oppressed his people. [00:42:47]

But now when we lift up chapter 11 here God gives us a much more beautiful image here uh while still in the forest God gives us an image of amazing grace uh there is a chute uh that comes out of the stump of Jesse i want you to note that if this shoot that comes out of a stump this stump is to suggest uh that this is what's left of the tree. [00:43:41]

Before uh they could uh be written off and before it is lost out of the place where there once was life uh but now there is no life uh where the odds of life were slim to none there is a sign of growth again as a chute is coming out of the stump uh that shoot is very much uh is not very much at all but it's a demonstration that there is still hope uh for that which has been cut down. [00:45:29]

This is exactly how God worked when Christ came into the world the world thought that there was no hope for redemption and that the Davidic dynasty was dead and gone and would not rise again but God choose to do some some of his best work in a circumstance that gave no potential possibility for anything great to come out of and just as God did this is salvation history and the redemptive narrative here y'all that's the same way that God works in your and in my life. [00:46:40]

You might feel like life has cut you down and that people have cut you off but time and time again God shows you that all things are possible to those who believe and the reason why is because our God our God he plans or he he he goes uh uh he goes his plans go as scheduled and when uh we have unforeseen circumstances. [00:47:38]

I need to tell you that we serve uh God and God's plan has not been altered that uh they have not changed they still are going to go as scheduled even when you have unforeseen circumstances anybody in the house today that may have gone through some unseen and unforesaken circumstances in the year of 2024 why don't you rave your raise your hand and look to the heels from with come of your help because all of your help comes from the Lord. [00:48:29]

This is the same God uh that allowed David to slay Goliath y'all remember the story not with a sword or a spear uh but with a slingshot and uh some smooth stones because our God does the sum of his best work uh uh when we think that there is no more hope left uh uh when all hope has been lost uh uh is there anybody here today uh uh who can say that's my testimony. [00:49:54]

But when we see Jesus we saw someone who completely was full of joy by submitting to the will of the father uh but please note today on this morning how different he is uh from any other ruler verses number 3-5 listen to what Isaiah writes about how different Christ the Messiah that Messiah King would be uh that he should not judge by what his eyes see or decide despite uh by what his ears hear uh but with righteousness get this check it out church uh he shall judge the poor and decide with equity for the meek of the earth and shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked righteousness shall be the belt of his waist and faithfulness the belt of his loins. [00:54:20]

It's emphasized here that he is focused on the marginalized he's focused on the dispossessed and the oppressed because uh more than the wicked would uh being annihilated by his breath the poor and the most vulnerable are judged or rather treated with righteousness and they also treated with equity and then I want you to know in verse number five we get a powerful image where it says there righteousness shall be the belt of his waist the belt of his waist and faithfulness the belt of his loins. [00:55:40]

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What does Isaiah's prophecy reveal about God's unexpected deliverance?

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In what ways does peace transcend natural instincts and chaos?