Today in church we spent time in Isaiah 11:1–10, and it really stuck with me. It’s one of those passages that feels ancient and brand new at the same time. It talks about a “shoot from the stump of Jesse” – a new branch growing out of something that looked dead and finished.
For me, that sounds a lot like hope showing up in places everyone else has written off. And honestly, I know what it feels like to be that stump.
The Stump and the Shoot
Isaiah paints a picture:
- A tree has been cut down
- Only a stump is left
- But out of that stump, a little green shoot starts to grow
Jesse was the father of King David, so this prophecy points forward to Jesus – a new King from David’s family line. But it’s not just about a “family tree.” It’s about God bringing life out of what looks completely done, ruined, or hopeless.
A cut-down tree doesn’t decide to grow again. New life just shows up. And that’s what grace looks like:
- When we feel chopped down by addiction, depression, anxiety, grief, or shame
- When relationships are broken
- When our past feels like it has disqualified us
God doesn’t look at the stump and say, “What a waste.” He looks at it and says, “Watch what I can grow from this.”
The Spirit-Filled King
Isaiah 11 describes this coming King – Jesus – in a powerful way. It says the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him:
- Wisdom and understanding – He knows what He’s doing
- Counsel and might – He knows how to guide us and has the power to help
- Knowledge and fear of the Lord – He is perfectly connected to the Father
What stands out to me is that this King doesn’t judge by appearances. He doesn’t look at what everyone else sees on the outside. He sees the heart.
That hits home for anyone who has ever felt judged by their worst moments, their record, their diagnosis, or their struggles. People see:
- “Addict”
- “Depressed”
- “Angry”
- “Too broken”
Jesus sees beyond all that. He sees the truth, the pain underneath, the wounds, the potential, the image of God in us that hasn’t been erased—just buried.
Justice for the Poor and Broken
Isaiah says this King will bring justice for the poor and fairness for those who have been mistreated. That means nobody is too small, too powerless, too overlooked for Him to care about.
Maybe you’ve felt:
- Ignored
- Talked over
- Judged without anyone asking what you’ve been through
- Like the system, people, or even church didn’t understand you
Isaiah reminds us: God’s heart is for the ones on the bottom. The ones who are used to being last in line. The ones who are usually “too much” or “not enough” for everybody else.
Jesus doesn’t just throw them a little sympathy. He rules for them. He fights for them.
A World Made New
The second part of the passage starts sounding almost like a dream:
- Wolves living with lambs
- Leopards lying down with goats
- A little child leading them
- No one hurting or destroying anymore
It’s a picture of deep peace, a world where things that were enemies are no longer at war. Where danger is gone. Where fear doesn’t control the room.
Right now the world feels full of:
- Conflict
- Violence
- Division
- Anxiety
- Fear
But Isaiah is saying: this is not how the story ends. God is moving history toward a day when everything will be restored – relationships, hearts, even creation itself.
What This Means for Us Right Now
So what do we do with Isaiah 11:1–10 on an ordinary day, sitting in church or at home, trying to make it through life?
A few things stand out to me:
- You are never too “cut down” for God to bring new life.
If God can bring a Savior out of a stump, He can bring hope out of your past, your trauma, your addiction, your regrets. If you’re still breathing, He’s not done. - Jesus sees more than your mistakes.
He doesn’t judge like the world does. He knows your whole story—every detail—better than you do. And He still chooses to love you, work with you, and grow something new in you. - God cares about the ones the world pushes aside.
If you feel like you’ve been overlooked or walked on, remember: the King Isaiah describes is on your side. He defends the weak. He listens to the unheard. - Peace is not just a fantasy.
The wolf and the lamb, the child safe with wild animals—that’s a picture of the final peace God is bringing. We aren’t there yet, but every time we choose forgiveness over revenge, love over hate, honesty over hiding, we’re living as citizens of that coming kingdom.
From Stump to Story
Maybe right now, your life feels more like a stump than a tree. Maybe you feel like:
- “I’ve lost too much.”
- “I’ve messed up too many times.”
- “I’m too broken, too tired, too far gone.”
Isaiah 11 would say: Look again. Look closer. There’s a shoot pushing through the cracks. God specializes in starting over in the very places we’ve given up on.
The stump is not the end of the story.
Closing Thoughts
Isaiah 11:1–10 isn’t just nice poetry. It’s a promise:
- A promise of a King who is good, wise, and just
- A promise of a kingdom where peace is real
- A promise that God can bring life out of what looks dead
If He can grow a Savior from a stump, He can grow hope in your heart too.
If you’re feeling cut down, don’t walk away from God. Bring Him the stump. Let Him plant something new there.
You’re not alone in this. God is still working, still growing, still restoring—sometimes slowly, sometimes quietly, but always faithfully.
By Josh Bridges
YOU {R} NOT ALONE YOU HAVE A VOICE! 