About eight hundred years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, God foretold His birth through communication with the prophet Isaiah. We can read many specific details about Jesus – his birth, his life, and his death. These prophesies are astonishingly accurate when compared with how these events unfolded centuries later.
Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root and the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. (Isaiah 11:1-3 NLT)
Developing good character is important as we grow in our recovery and Isaiah helps us learn some trustworthy things about the visible aspects of Jesus’ life and what Jesus was like on the inside.
When we come into recovery, we may not look a whole lot different on the outside than we did while in addiction. Some of us will clean up and gain some weight but others of us will look pretty much the same. The real changes are those that happen on the inside.
We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Colossians 1:9 NLT)
As we approach Christmas, it’s wonderful to know that God’s gift to us is His Holy Spirit who makes the essential changes in our heart. These changes result in us being equipped for a whole new way of living in the light of God’s love.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your Holy Spirit coming to live in me. Continue to fill me with wisdom and understanding and change me from the inside out so that I honour You in all my ways. Amen
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