The Promise Fulfilled

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—3 and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears… - Isaiah 11:2–3

The Promise was spoken, hope was released.

The Promise was fulfilled when Jesus arrived.

4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. 5 Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist - Isaiah 11:4-5

The Promise must be received to be experienced.

5 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. 7 The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. 8 The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.

- Isaiah 11:6–8

10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

- Luke 2:10-11

Hold On—The Promise Is Still Alive

Darkness Cannot Cancel a Promise Spoken by God.

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

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”

‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God Often Wraps His Greatest Promises in Humble Packages.

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”

‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Faithful Waiting Keeps You Aligned for the Miracle.

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.””

Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭25‬-‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” ‭‭

Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV

A Promise in Motion

1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. 2 The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. 4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

- Psalm 98:1-4

God doesn’t just remember His promise… He moves on it.

He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

- Psalm 98:3

He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy…

- Luke 1:54

Jesus didn’t just reveal the promise… He fulfilled it.

The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. 

- Psalm 98:2

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

-  Luke 2:11-14

God keeps His promises… so we can trust Him with ours.

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

- Matthew 1:22-23