Introduction

Good morning, beloved in Christ. How wonderful it is to gather here together, united in our love for God and our shared faith in His Word. As we come together in this sacred space, our hearts brimming with anticipation, let's turn our minds towards the wisdom contained within the pages of Scripture.

Today, we find ourselves in the pages of Isaiah, specifically Isaiah 27:1-6. It reads:

"In that day the Lord with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea. In that day, 'A pleasant vineyard, sing of it! I, the Lord, am its keeper; every moment I water it. Lest anyone punish it, I keep it night and day; I have no wrath. Would that I had thorns and briers to battle! I would march against them, I would burn them up together. Or let them lay hold of my protection, let them make peace with me, let them make peace with me.' In days to come Jacob shall take root, Israel shall blossom and put forth shoots and fill the whole world with fruit."

What a rich and potent passage! As we reflect on these words, we are reminded of the power of God, His protecting hand, and His promise for our future. We are called to harvest hope from history, to heed God's hand in our lives, and to harness faith for the future.

Harvesting Hope from History

As we gather here today, we're turning our hearts and minds towards a powerful passage from Isaiah. This passage is a treasure trove of wisdom and guidance, a beacon of light that illuminates our path forward. It's a passage that speaks to us on multiple levels, touching on themes of God's power, His protection, and His promises for our future.

The first part of this passage: It speaks of a day when the Lord will punish Leviathan, the fleeing serpent. This is a vivid and powerful image, one that speaks to God's might and His commitment to justice. It's a reminder that God is not a passive observer of our world. He is actively involved, ready to step in and set things right when they go awry.

The image of God as a powerful warrior, slaying the serpent: It’s a potent reminder of the hope we can harvest from our history. Throughout the Bible, we see countless examples of God stepping in to deliver His people. From the Israelites' exodus from Egypt to Daniel in the lion's den, from David's victory over Goliath to Jesus' resurrection from the dead, our history is filled with moments of divine intervention.

Not just stories - powerful warrior: They're not just tales from a bygone era. They're powerful reminders of God's love for us, His commitment to us, and His power to deliver us. They're reminders that no matter how dark the night, no matter how fierce the storm, God is with us. He is our protector, our deliverer, our hope.

The second part of the passage: It speaks of a pleasant vineyard, a place that the Lord keeps and waters every moment. This is a beautiful image, one that speaks to God's care and provision. It's a reminder that God is not just a powerful warrior. He is also a loving caretaker, tending to His creation with gentleness and love.

The image of God as a caretaker: This is another source of hope we can harvest from our history. Throughout the Bible, we see countless examples of God's provision for His people. From the manna in the wilderness to the widow's jar of oil, from the feeding of the five thousand to Jesus' promise of living water, our history is filled with moments of divine provision.

Not just stories - caretaker: They're not just tales of miraculous feedings or supernatural supply. They're powerful reminders of God's care for us, His provision for us, and His promise to meet our needs. They're reminders that no matter how barren the land, no matter how empty the cupboard, God is with us. He is our provider, our sustainer, our hope.

The third part of the passage: It speaks of God's desire for peace, His willingness to protect and His readiness to make peace. This is a profound image, one that speaks to God's heart for reconciliation. It's a reminder that God is not just a powerful warrior or a loving caretaker. He is also a peacemaker, eager to bring harmony and unity.

The image of God as a peacemaker: This is yet another source of hope we can harvest from our history. Throughout the Bible, we see countless examples of God's heart for peace. From the reconciliation of Jacob and Esau to the prodigal son's return, from Jesus' call to love our enemies to His promise of peace that surpasses understanding, our history is filled with moments of divine reconciliation.

Not just stories - peacemaker: They're not just tales of forgiveness and reconciliation. They're powerful reminders of God's heart for us, His desire for peace, and His promise to bring reconciliation. They're reminders that no matter how deep the division, no matter how wide the chasm, God is with us. He is our peacemaker, our reconciler, our hope.

The last part of the passage: It speaks of a future where Jacob will take root, where Israel will blossom and fill the world with fruit. This is a hopeful image, one that speaks to God's promises for our future. It's a reminder that God is not just a powerful warrior, a loving caretaker, or a peacemaker. He is also a promise-keeper, committed to bringing His plans to fruition.

The image of God as a promise-keeper: This is the final source of hope we can harvest from our history. Throughout the Bible, we see countless examples of God's faithfulness to His promises. From the rainbow after the flood to the birth of Isaac, from the coming of the Messiah to the promise of His return, our history is filled with moments of divine faithfulness.

Not just stories - promise-keeper: They're not just tales of fulfilled prophecies or kept promises. They're powerful reminders of God's faithfulness to us, His commitment to His word, and His promise to bring His plans to fruition. They're reminders that no matter how long the wait, no matter how distant the promise, God is with us. He is our promise-keeper, our faithful God, our hope.

He is our hope, our strength, our guide. And with Him, we can face the future with confidence and courage.

Heeding God's Hand in Our Lives

As we turn our attention to the passage from Isaiah, we find ourselves in the midst of a vivid depiction of God's power and protection ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO