Prophecy Foretold

Isaiah ’twas foretold it
The rose I have in mind
With Mary we behold it
The virgin mother kind
To show God’s love aright
She bore to us a Savior
When half-spent was the night
(Verse 2)

The prophecy foretold in the book of Isaiah was one of hope.  The Israelites during the time of Isaiah had just returned to their homeland from the exile in Babylon.  Still trying to understand their whole experience, many were wondering about God’s plan for their life. Why had God allowed them to be banished?  And, who are they now that they have returned?  There were many questions about the past and also questions about the future.  Many of us also have questions about our own lives, particularly when we are going through a difficult experience.  We often wonder what God’s plan is for our lives and what our future might look like.  While most of us have never as a nation been exiled, we each know what it is like to hurt and to live in uncertainty. 

The prophet Isaiah writes about the coming of a Messiah like the world had never seen before.  Isaiah shares details that tell of the person of Jesus and how we will recognize when the Messiah has come.  Through this prophecy, the people begin to live in hope of what the world will be.  Through the lyrics from verse 2 of “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” we return to the rose image and the reminder of the beauty that was promised and then confirmed through Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Promised Savior, the hope for you was laid many generations ago.  People sat in wait with hope.  We are grateful every day that we don’t have to wait.  You are here for us each and every day.  In your love, Amen.