{"id":3455,"date":"2017-12-15T00:02:43","date_gmt":"2017-12-14T23:02:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/?p=3455"},"modified":"2017-12-15T00:02:43","modified_gmt":"2017-12-14T23:02:43","slug":"2017-advent-hope-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/15\/2017-advent-hope-6\/","title":{"rendered":"2017: Advent Hope #6"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3460\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/15\/2017-advent-hope-6\/strings_attached\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/strings_attached.jpg?fit=800%2C600&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"800,600\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;FinePix HS28EXR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1500109895&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;31.5&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0033333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"strings_attached\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/strings_attached.jpg?fit=800%2C600&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/strings_attached.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/strings_attached.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/strings_attached.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/strings_attached.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px\" \/><br \/>\n(Photo: Lindy Twaddle)<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:24px; font-family:Georgia, serif; border: 15px dotted #2EA50E;padding:4pt; letter-spacing: 4px;width:100%;text-align:center;\"><em>ISRAEL&#8217;S HOPE<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Isaiah 11:1\u20133  <span style=\"font-weight:normal;font-size:.7em;\">&nbsp;(NRSVA)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><sup>1<\/sup> A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse,<br \/>\n&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;    and a branch shall grow out of his roots.<br \/>\n<sup>2<\/sup> The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,<br \/>\n&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;    the spirit of wisdom and understanding,<br \/>\n&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;    the spirit of counsel and might,<br \/>\n&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;    the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.<br \/>\n<sup>3<\/sup> His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp; He shall not judge by what his eyes see,<br \/>\n&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;    or decide by what his ears hear;<\/p>\n<h3>Thought<\/h3>\n<p>Have you ever been told the same thing by several people? God had sent prophet after prophet to tell his people Israel about the one to come, the one they called the Messiah and yet the people still did not understand. Often we have to be told something many times by many different people before the information drops from the head to the heart, before we begin to hope for what is promised. <\/p>\n<h3>Poem: <span style=\"color:#2EA50E;\">The prophets<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><em>The prophets promised a Messiah<br \/>\nWould be born to save the Jews<br \/>\nBut the people never listened<br \/>\nTo their message of good news<\/p>\n<p>They promised them a future King<br \/>\nWho would rescue Israel<br \/>\nThey promised he\u2019d save the gentile too<br \/>\nThat didn\u2019t go down so well<\/p>\n<p>They said a child would be born<br \/>\nIn Bethlehem in Judea<br \/>\nThat his mother would be a virgin<br \/>\nAnd he\u2019d be named \u201cGod is near\u201d<\/p>\n<p>They told them the Messiah<br \/>\nWould be born of David\u2019s line<br \/>\nThat God would send his servant<br \/>\nAt the appointed Time<\/p>\n<p>They told them of the servant<br \/>\nWho would suffer and die<br \/>\n\u201cSurely not our Messiah\u201d<br \/>\nWas the people\u2019s cry<\/p>\n<p>For they wanted a Saviour<br \/>\nA great and mighty King<br \/>\nWho would lead forth his people<br \/>\nAnd bring the kingdom in<\/p>\n<p>The people wanted a warrior<br \/>\nTo lead them on to victory<br \/>\nThey didn\u2019t want a preacher<br \/>\nWho would die upon a tree<\/p>\n<p>But the prophet\u2019s message was clear<br \/>\nThrough the centuries it came<br \/>\nThe promise of a Messiah<br \/>\nImmanuel by name<\/p>\n<p>God would send his son<br \/>\nThe Servant King<br \/>\nTo carry his people\u2019s burdens<br \/>\nTo redeem the world from sin<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Prayer <\/h3>\n<blockquote><p>Father God, you sent your prophets to your people Israel and yet they refused to listen to their message and missed the promised Messiah. Help us to listen to the message of your prophets today so that when you come among us we are prepared and ready to respond.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"my\" style=\"border-width:2px;border-style:dashed;padding:15px 15px 15px 15px;line-height:1.5;border-color:red;font-size:.85em;\">\n<em style=\"color:red;\">XTRA XTRA XTRA<\/em><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/protect-eu.mimecast.com\/s\/1RXKBso499TM?domain=churchofscotland.advent-calendar.net\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Church of Scotland Advent Calendar<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\nJourney daily with characters in the Nativity through video, reflection and prayer\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><strong>TIP &#8230; from the blog<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/05\/17\/childrens-prayer-1\/\">Children&#8217;s prayer #1<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>(Photo: Lindy Twaddle) &nbsp; ISRAEL&#8217;S HOPE Isaiah 11:1\u20133 &nbsp;(NRSVA) 1 A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; the spirit of wisdom and understanding, &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; the &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/15\/2017-advent-hope-6\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;2017: Advent Hope #6&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[13,14,63,3],"tags":[96,98],"class_list":["post-3455","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bible","category-meditation","category-poetry","category-prayer","tag-advent-2017","tag-hope"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - 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true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life; It is not\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;creed&quot;","block_context":{"text":"creed","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/creed\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iron_cow.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iron_cow.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iron_cow.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iron_cow.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3307,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/11\/2017-advent-hope-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":3455,"position":1},"title":"2017: Advent Hope #2","author":"Kim Hurst","date":"December 11, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Photo: Lindy Twaddle) \u00a0 ADVENT HOPE Isaiah 9:6\u20137 \u00a0(NRSVA) 6 For a child has been born for us, \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 a son given to us; \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0authority rests upon his shoulders; \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 and he is named \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Wonderful Counselor,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;bible&quot;","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/checkpoint_charlie.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/checkpoint_charlie.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/checkpoint_charlie.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/checkpoint_charlie.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13560,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2022\/11\/23\/gods-glory-revealed\/","url_meta":{"origin":3455,"position":2},"title":"God&#8217;s glory revealed","author":"Irene Bom","date":"November 23, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. \u00a0 Isaiah 40:5 \u00a0 My local congregation in Rotterdam has adopted the theme, \"Light in the darkness\", for Advent 2022. In addition to Sunday morning\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;bible&quot;","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/lights_against_evening_blue.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/lights_against_evening_blue.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/lights_against_evening_blue.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/lights_against_evening_blue.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9432,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2020\/04\/14\/rise-up\/","url_meta":{"origin":3455,"position":3},"title":"Rise up","author":"Irene Bom","date":"April 14, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 Here's a song I'm working on - based on Isaiah 40:31. The song might yet morph into something else. Meanwhile, I hope this version offers you some solace and encouragement. \u00a0 Those who hope in the Lord (version 13-04-2020) by Irene Bom Those who hope in the Lord shall\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;song&quot;","block_context":{"text":"song","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/song\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/eagle_soaring_3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/eagle_soaring_3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/eagle_soaring_3.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14703,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2023\/11\/14\/stand-still-for-a-moment\/","url_meta":{"origin":3455,"position":4},"title":"Stand still for a moment","author":"Irene Bom","date":"November 14, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Namaqualand daisies, West Coast National Park, South Africa \u00a0 Call to Worship based on Micah 6:1-8 Children of God, it's time to take off your shoes, step out of your comfort zone, and wade with trust into the stream of God's mercy. Stand still for a moment, barefoot, on holy\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;call to worship&quot;","block_context":{"text":"call to worship","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/call-to-worship\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/body_shadow_on_namaqualand_daisies.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/body_shadow_on_namaqualand_daisies.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/body_shadow_on_namaqualand_daisies.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/body_shadow_on_namaqualand_daisies.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3465,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/16\/2017-advent-hope-7\/","url_meta":{"origin":3455,"position":5},"title":"2017: Advent Hope #7","author":"Kim Hurst","date":"December 16, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Photo: Lindy Twaddle) \u00a0 OUR HOPE Luke 2:28\u201332 \u00a0(NRSVA) 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2018Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 according to your word; 30\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 which you have prepared in the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;bible&quot;","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cross_beach_rainbow.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cross_beach_rainbow.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cross_beach_rainbow.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cross_beach_rainbow.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Kim Hurst","author_link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/author\/kimhurst\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/\" rel=\"category tag\">bible<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/meditation\/\" rel=\"category tag\">meditation<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/poetry\/\" rel=\"category tag\">poetry<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/\" rel=\"category tag\">prayer<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"(Photo: Lindy Twaddle) &nbsp; ISRAEL&#8217;S HOPE Isaiah 11:1\u20133 &nbsp;(NRSVA) 1 A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; the spirit of wisdom and understanding, &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; the&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3455","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3455"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3455\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3455"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3455"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3455"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}