January 17: Knowing the Game

Scripture Lesson: Isaiah 11:1-9

Today is the birthday of Don Zimmer. Zimmer broke in with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1954 and after his playing days, he became a coach and manager for many years. Today Zimmer, who has been in baseball over 57 years, is still a special advisor to the Tampa Bay Rays. He is one of the brightest and best when it comes to knowing the game of baseball. Zimmer said, “ What you lack in talent can be made up with desire, hustle, and giving 110% all the time.”

In today’s text, the prophet Isaiah offers a prophecy concerning the coming of Jesus Christ. These nine verses are rich with descriptions of what Jesus will bring to the world. The end of verse nine sums up this whole prophecy with these words: “for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” That indeed is a great description of what Jesus will bring … we will know about God. When the Lord came to this world, He showed to each of us the love of God and the knowledge of what God truly desires from us. God is not interested in us following a lot of do’s and don’ts. He is interested in a personal relationship with each of us. When we love Him like that we will obey Him, not out of duty just love. There is an old saying that says, “knowledge is power.” There can be no greater knowledge than of the Father and His Son who died for us.

1. What are Isaiah’s descriptions of the coming Lord?

2. What kind of peace will He bring?

3. How can we increase our knowledge of God?

God wants us to know Him in our hearts, wanting a living and personal relationship with Him. Want to know more about God? … Spend time with Him!