The ploughed ground contained a secret—something hidden. In preparation for their fiftieth wedding anniversary, Lee Wilson had set apart eighty acres of his land to produce perhaps the grandest floral gift his wife had ever seen. He secretly planted countless sunflower seeds that eventually erupted into 1.2 million of the golden plants—his wife’s favourite. When the sunflowers raised their yellow crowns, Renee was shocked and overwhelmed by Lee’s beautiful act of love.
Speaking to the people of Judah through the prophet Isaiah, God shared a secret with them: though they couldn’t see it now, after His promised judgement against them for their unfaithfulness to Him (Isaiah 3:1–4:1), a new and golden day would dawn. “In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel” (4:2). Yes, they would experience devastation and exile at the hands of Babylon, but a beautiful “branch”—a new shoot out of the ground—would then be seen. A remnant of His people set apart (“holy,” v. 3), cleansed (v. 4) and lovingly led and cared for by Him (vv. 5-6).
Our days can seem dark, and the fulfilment of God’s promises hidden. But as we cling to Him by faith, one day all His “great and precious promises” will be fulfilled (2 Peter 1:4). A beautiful new day awaits.
By Tom Felten
REFLECT & PRAY
Why do God’s promises seem to be hidden at times? How can you accept them by faith today?
Loving God, thank You for the beauty of Your faithful promises.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Scripture, God’s people (the Israelites) are often compared to a tree. In Isaiah 4, the prophet Isaiah refers to “that day” when “the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel” (v. 2). Previously, “that day” described a time of judgment and devastation (3:7, 18; 4:1 ). But here Isaiah describes “that day” as a time of restoration and renewed flourishing. By describing “that day” as both a time of judgment and restoration, Isaiah reveals that the judgment isn’t mere destruction but intended to purify, cleanse, and restore the tree of Israel to what it was meant to be—“a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain” (v. 6).
Monica La Rose
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