(March 14, 2025) Angeline Selvakumari reflects on a particular scripture and encourages…

I was reading Isaiah 11, a chapter well-known for its prophecy concerning Jesus’ ministry.

However, I found myself particularly drawn to verse one which, in my Holman Christian Standard Bible, says: ‘Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.’

Five words intrigued me— stump, shoot, branch, bearing fruit!

Stump
A stump represents a life cut short, the abrupt end of a once-thriving existence. It symbolises decline, a remnant of something that once flourished— what remains when prosperity has ceased. It’s a picture of finality: lifeless, left over, and seemingly without a future. A stump marks the end of what was, destined to rot and eventually disappear.

This verse refers to the royal line of David, reduced to a remnant— a stump. Remnants are the survivors, those who have endured trials, faced adversity, and remained steadfast. Isaiah 11:1 is a precious promise of what God intends for His faithful remnant: those who have clung to Him through every storm, standing firm on the foundation of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

God’s original plan was for David’ descendants to rule on the throne forever. Yet, history tells a different story. In 2Kings 24-25, we learn that the last king of Judah, Zedekiah, was captured by Nebuchadnezzar bringing the royal authority of David’s line to an apparent end. For nearly 600 years there was no king in Israel.

During this silence, it seemed as though God had forgotten His promise. But God is not unfaithful; He was waiting for His appointed time. The people of Israel waited with great anticipation for the coming of a new king and then, in the fullness of time, God declared that a shoot would emerge from the stump of Jesse.

Shoot
How could life spring from a dead stump? It seemed impossible. But with God, even the most hopeless situations can be revived. What appeared to be the end of Israel— its mighty kingdom reduced to a lifeless remnant— became the stage for the fulfillment of God’s promise through the birth of Jesus.

Contrary to the expectations of the Israelites, who imagined the Messiah as a mighty and powerful king ready to overthrow their oppressors, Jesus came humbly, born in a manger.

• Sometimes, God’s promises unfold in ways that defy human expectations.
• Yet, His plans are always perfect!
• From the stump of Jesse, a shoot emerges— a symbol of new life, hope, and restoration.

Let’s reflect on this shoot using the acrostic S-H-O-O-T to meditate on God fulfilling His promise.

S – Source of Promises!
Our God is a God of promises. He makes covenants and never goes back on His word. When our foundation is built on His promises, we are more than conquerors because His promises are ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen’ in Jesus (2Corinthians 1:20). God never forgets His word. He fulfills His promises, even in unexpected seasons, for He is a faithful promise-keeper.

God had promised Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). However, Abraham’s faith was tested when God asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac, the child of promise (Genesis 22:2). But just as Abraham raised the knife, God provided a ram as a substitute sacrifice (v10-14). This story demonstrates that God is faithful and will sustain His promises, even when circumstances make them seem impossible.

Genesis 28:15AMP also records another of God’s promises… this time to Issac’s son Jacob: ‘I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.’

God also gave a promise to David: ‘Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; Your throne will be established forever’ (2Samuel 7:16AMP).

For a time, it seemed as though He had forgotten this promise, as there was no king from David’s line on the throne. However, a shoot did come forth from the stump, fulfilling God’s word at an unexpected moment— and we joyfully celebrate this at Christmas time! (And when we worship Jesus!).

• Are you aware of God’s promises to you in 2025 through Jesus? If so, claim them today!

H – Hope Replacing Hopelessness!
The gospel message of Jesus is one of hope— hope for everyone, even in hopeless situations. Around the world many people are struggling because they have lost hope in their relationships, finances, future, jobs and most importantly, in themselves.

Just as a shoot can emerge from a dead stump, Jesus transforms lifeless circumstances into sources of new life. One of the central messages of Jesus’ birth is hope! The stump, once lifeless and beyond hope, will bring forth a shoot— a new life!

The stump, once a flourishing green tree with flowers, leaves, birds nesting in its branches, and offering shade and protection, stood broken, empty, and lifeless. It seems useless, without purpose, and left to decay. Then, out of this desolation, a shoot emerged – a new branch full of life.

1Kings 17:7–16 tells of a time of hopelessness during a severe famine. The widow of Zarephath had gathered sticks to prepare a final meal for herself and her son before they perished. But at the visiting prophet Elijah’s request, she used her last bit of flour and oil to make him bread instead! Especially when he said to her: ‘… this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: “The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry”‘ (v14).

And it didn’t! Miraculously, God provided hope for her household, ensuring the flour jar never ran out and the jug of oil never ran dry.

This story illustrates how God restores hope and sustenance in the most desperate situations, much like the new shoot from a lifeless stump gives fresh hope.

No matter how hopeless your situation seems, trust in Jesus. He is the source of promises and the restorer of hope— God’s restoration and new beginnings! He can do the same in our lives as He has done for others— transforming hopeless situations into sources of joy. Like the widow above who trusted God’s word, we must trust Him and surrender our burdens to Jesus.

When we give Him everything, He turns our sorrow into joy and restores our hope. Even the hope we thought was lost can be renewed in the name of Jesus who gives us real hope.

• Dear reader— the good news is that Jesus brings hope to lifeless situations!

O – Overcomer of Loss!
God calls us not to remain victims of our circumstances but to rise as overcomers. Regardless of how this year has been for you or the baggage you may still carry from the past, remember this: Jesus restores what is broken or lost. He reconciles us to the Father because He is a God of restoration and reconciliation and enables us to be overcomers!

No matter what you have lost— whether through disobedience, sin or living distance from God— He can restore it. If He restored our relationship with the Father through His Calvary sacrifice, how much more will He restore other aspects of our lives?

Jesus came to die so that we could be reconciled to God. Whatever you have lost, claim His promise and trust Him to restore it.

If God can bring life to a dead, lifeless stump, how much more can He do for you and me? Consider Job’s story in Job 42: he’d lost everything— his children, wealth, and health. Yet, despite his intense suffering, Job remained faithful and in the end God restored everything to him— even giving him twice as much as he had before. This demonstrates that God is a restorer who abundantly blesses even after unimaginable loss.

Similarly, David who had lost everything to the Amalekites (1Samuel 30) instead of despairing, sought strength in the Lord and recovered everything.

• May the Lord restore everything that you have lost— and you be an overcomer!

O – Opener of New Beginnings!
The Bible assures us that God has a plan for each of us, one to give us hope and a future. We are engraved on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16). However, life can sometimes take unexpected turns, and we may feel lost along the way.

The beauty of Jesus Christ is that He is the God of second chances. Even when we make mistakes, He can create something beautiful from our mess. As Romans 8:28 NKJV says, ‘… All things work together for good to those who love God.’

He is the opener of new doors and new beginnings. I pray that as you read this, new opportunities will arise, and fresh starts will come into your life. Jesus came to give us purpose and life in abundance. Surrender your life to Him in prayer, and He will make all things new.

God creates life where there was none, transforming hopelessness into a fresh start. A shoot— a symbol of new life— will emerge from the stump of what once seemed dead. God has the power to bring life to the very places of lifelessness. Ezekiel 37 reminds us to speak to the dry bones; they will come back to life. Speak life into every dead situation, for that is the promise of Jesus’ birth. If you’re a Christian the truth is that once you were dead but now you’re alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:5)!

Ezekiel saw a vision of a valley filled with dry bones. When God commanded him to prophesy and he did, the bones came together, were covered with flesh, and received breath, becoming a vast army. This powerful image of resurrection and renewal assures us that God can create new beginnings even in the most barren and lifeless circumstances (Ezekiel 37:1-14).

A shoot from a stump! God calls into existence things that don’t yet exist. As Romans 4:17 (NKJV) declares: ‘… He (who) gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.’

Our God can do far more than we could ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). A new beginning is awaiting you. If you believe, you will see the glory of God. Trust in Him, for God is not limited— even when we face challenges that seem insurmountable.

• What new beginning has the God of the impossible for you in 2025?

T – The True Vine!
Jesus, the True Vine, enables us to live abundantly and bear fruit for God’s glory. We must rely on Him for fruitfulness. Jesus came into the world so we could become children of God and bear fruit for His kingdom.

Jesus taught His disciples that He is the True Vine, and they were the branches. He encouraged them to remain in Him, for apart from Him, they could do nothing. Those who abide in Him bear much fruit, glorifying the Father (John 15:5,8).

The branch symbolises fruitfulness, growth and abundance. As followers of Jesus today, we are called to bear fruit so that the Father in heaven may be glorified. This truth directly reflects the idea of growth and fruitfulness through reliance on Jesus.

It is my prayer that as you meditate on Isaiah 11:1, God will bring a new shoot into your life, family, ministry and workplace. This may begin as a small but significant shoot bringing transformation and renewal.

Do let this new beginning take root in your life this year and trust in the source of all hope, who restores every loss and brings beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3). He is the God of restoration, the one who opens doors to new beginnings!

May 2025 be a year of renewal and fruitfulness in every area of your life. As you abide in Him, the true vine, may you be a branch experiencing multiplication, growth, and abundance.

• Trust in Him, and you will bear much fruit, bringing glory to the Father.

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Pastor Angeline Selvakumari is Honourary Editor–in–Chief Echo of His Call, India’s Spiritual Newspaper, and Dr S Sam Selva Raj’s daughter. In furthering Echo of His Call ministries, established 1969, Dr Sam broadcasts 5–minute YouTube messages in English, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu daily, trusting the Lord to provide for the costs. Link: sam@echoofhiscall.org 
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