“And the LORD said to Isaiah, ‘Go out to meet Ahaz, you and Shear-jashub your son’” Isaiah 7:3
According to the footnotes in my Bible, Shear-jashub means, “a remnant shall return.” What beautiful hope is seen in this name. While it also points to a coming judgment in which God’s people will be scattered and reduced, it holds the promise that the Lord will continue to be faithful. There will be a remnant. They will return to the land God promised to their fathers, and will return in faith to the God who saves and redeems them. “Thus says the LORD: ‘The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have love you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you’” (Jeremiah 31:2-3).
Isaiah gave his son this name. It serves as a reminder of God’s promise. So in the midst of turmoil and prophecies of God’s judgment, the prophet has this continual reminder before his eyes: “a remnant shall return.” All is not lost. Hope is not gone. God will not abandon His people or forsake His promise.
Lord, You are so amazingly faithful to us. May we all set hope before our eyes with such intentionality, purposefully setting in place reminders of Your abundant grace. You provide for us, You bless us, You uplift our face and cover us with favor as with a shield. We find rest in the shadow of Your wings and we drink from Your river of delights. Sustain us, strengthen us, as we face trial and pain. Open our eyes to see Your deliverance within the difficulties of our lives. Hold us together, Lord. Help us to fix our eyes on hope. To fix our eyes on You.
In Pleasant Places 