This “Application” column goes with the Bible Lesson for Dec. 27, 2020: Fulfilled through Hope (Matthew 12:1-23)
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By David Faust
Last December 31 when we celebrated the New Year, I told my wife, “2019 has been rough, but I have a good feeling about 2020. It’s going to be a great year!” Clearly, I don’t have the gift of prophecy. The year 2020 brought a global pandemic, racial strife, economic upheaval, and political turmoil. Someone joked that in the future 2020 will become a one-word catchphrase to describe a big mess. When asked, “How was your day?” you can say, “A total 2020,” and everyone will understand.
How did your faith weather the storms this year? As 2020 winds down and a new year begins, what is your attitude about the future? There’s always hope if we fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and “press on toward the goal” (Philippians 3:14).
Our Rear Guard
Isaiah did have the gift of prophecy. Centuries before the Messiah walked the earth, Isaiah foretold what the Messiah would do. The predictions included:
- “He will bring justice to the nations” (Isaiah 42:1; Matthew 12:18).
- “He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets” (Isaiah 42:2; Matthew 12:19). Jesus disrupted social and religious norms, but he wasn’t merely a rebel and a rabble-rouser. He altered history by changing hearts.
- “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out” (Isaiah 42:3; Matthew 12:20). If you’re bruised, he won’t break you. If you’re on the verge of burnout, he won’t blow out the fire you have left; he wants to fan the flames again.
- “In his name the islands [nations] will put their hope” (Isaiah 42:4; Matthew 12:21).
A few verses before predicting the crucifixion where Christ was “crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5), the prophet used a military image to encourage God’s people. He said, “For the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard” (Isaiah 52:12). The rear guard fulfills an important role. Generals position soldiers at the rear of their advancing troops to protect the army from behind. As we face the future, God leads us forward (“the Lord will go before you”) and he protects us from behind as well (“the God of Israel will be your rear guard”). God has our backs!
We’re Not Alone
There was a large barn on the farm where I grew up. It was built in the 1890s with sturdy hand-hewn timbers fastened together with wooden pegs. When I was a boy, I worked in that barn every day—and I played there, too, because Dad installed a basketball backboard and hoop inside so my brothers and I could play even on bad weather days. I liked that barn during the daylight hours. At night, though, it was a scary place with creaky boards underfoot and hidden dangers behind its dark corners. I didn’t like going into the barn at night.
One thing made a big difference. If Dad was with me, the darkness didn’t bother me. The barn wasn’t scary when my father was there.
We have gone through a rough year in 2020. What will happen in 2021? Only God knows. But we can approach the future with faith, not fear—with hope, not despair. Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, the Father will be with us.
PERSONAL CHALLENGE: On a piece of paper or in your journal, write a letter to God. Reflect on the lessons you learned in 2020. List the challenges and opportunities you face in 2021 and ask the Lord to help you with each one.
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