The Daily Devotional
Friday, December 19, 2025
New Life from the Stump: Hope in the Root of Jesse
“A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” — Isaiah 11:1
Introduction
December 19 brings us to the third of the ancient “O Antiphons”: O Radix Jesse—O Root of Jesse, a title that reaches deep into the prophetic hope of Israel. The image comes from Isaiah’s vision of a seemingly lifeless stump—what was once the line of David, now cut down by exile and despair. Yet God promises that out of this stump, a new shoot will appear, one who will bring justice, peace, and restoration. Paul echoes this hope in Romans 15, proclaiming Jesus as the Root of Jesse who brings joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit. Today’s devotional invites us to look honestly at the “stumps” in our own lives—places that seem barren—so that we might recognize the surprising new growth that Christ brings.
Reflection
We all have places that feel like stumps—dreams cut short, relationships that feel beyond repair, health struggles that leave us depleted, seasons where faith seems thin. Sometimes life leaves behind nothing but a rough, dry remnant of what once was. Yet Isaiah’s vision is not of an old tree suddenly revived, but of something new emerging from what looked dead.
Not long ago, I visited a ranch where a large mesquite tree had been cut to the ground years earlier. The owner pointed to what looked like nothing more than a forgotten stump scorched by sun and wind. But right beside it, almost hidden in the desert brush, was a young green shoot pressing upward—vigorous, hopeful, alive. “It’s stubborn,” he laughed. “You can cut it back, but the roots are still working.”
Isn’t that just like grace? God often begins His most beautiful work not in places that look strong and flourishing, but in the places we thought were finished. The Root of Jesse—Christ Himself—is God’s declaration that no stump is too far gone, no story too finished, no life too barren for His renewing touch.
Application
Where is the “stump” in your life today? Name it honestly. Then ask God to let you see—if only faintly—the small green shoot He may already be growing. It might not look like what you expected. It might be fragile at first. But Christ, the Root of Jesse, specializes in bringing life from what others would discard. Today, watch for signs of new growth: a softened word, a moment of clarity, a spark of courage, a renewed desire to pray. Celebrate even the smallest shoot—because small shoots become branches of hope.
Conclusion
The promise of O Radix Jesse is simple and steady: God can bring new life from places that appear lifeless. Nothing is too cut down for Him. Nothing is too late. In Christ, the Root who anchors us and the Shoot who renews us, God is already at work—quietly, faithfully, beautifully.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Root of Jesse, enter again into the places in my life that feel worn, barren, or cut down. Let Your renewing Spirit bring forth unexpected shoots of hope, courage, and healing. Open my eyes to the quiet work You are already doing beneath the surface, and help me trust that Your life is stronger than any loss or disappointment. May Your peace take root within me, and may Your joy grow where I least expect it. Amen.
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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