Today I’m happy to welcome my friend and fellow biblical fiction writer Mesu Andrew to the blog, with a very special post. To go along with her upcoming release, Isaiah’s Daughter, Mesu has written a small devotional that is available as a free download to anyone who pre-orders her novel! And she’s here today to share one of those 14 devos…as it’s very appropriate to the season. Please join me in giving Mesu a warm welcome!
14-Day Devotional
Day Twelve
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him
Immanuel.”
~ Isaiah 7:14 ~
Which aspect of
Jesus’ birth is most amazing to you?
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| Christmas print – will be mailed to anyone who pre-orders |
daughters and was honored to attend each of their first births. Watching my
babies give birth to babies was an amazing privilege but pales in comparison to
watching them be mothers. Mothering is
not for the faint of heart, and I’ve often pondered the impossible task Jesus’
mother faced. So much intrigues me about her conception, Jesus’ birth, and her
life as a mom.
to create in her womb the God who created her? Was her birth experience more or
less terrifying, knowing the Son she bore was God’s own? Instructed to call
Him, Immanuel—God with us—how did she
parent God?
say it would have been easier to believe in God if they’d lived while Jesus
walked the earth. I’m not so sure. While we have the benefit of hindsight, Isaiah’s
conservative theology might have struggled to embrace God’s Messiah. Even Mary,
who lived moment-by-moment with a divine toddler, teenager, and adult Son, remained
as confused as His other disciples until the Spirit was given at Pentecost (Mark
3:20-21). Seeing doesn’t always make
believing easier. Jesus’ brothers refused to believe He was the Christ (John
7:3-5) until after His death and resurrection. Only then did James believe his
Brother had been God With Us, the
perfect representation of the Father’s glory.
radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining
all things by his powerful word.
purification for sins,
right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
1:3 ~
Jesus’ day discounted Him as the Messiah because He was too common. He wasn’t
spectacular in any way.
like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.
majesty to attract us to him,
appearance that we should desire him.”
Isaiah 53:2 ~
Ones to whom the indwelling Holy
Spirit is available—actually have the easier path to faith. Immanuel dwells through
His Spirit in all who believe in
Jesus Christ. Perhaps Isaiah would envy us.
disciples,]
you, it is for your good that I am going away.
Advocate will not come to you;
send him to you.”
John 16:7 ~
benefits did the disciples have with a flesh-and-blood Savior that we don’t?
benefits do we enjoy with the indwelling Spirit that the disciples couldn’t?
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| Quote card ~ will be mailed to anyone who pre-orders |
About the Book
Ishma
comes to the prophet Isaiah’s home as a five-year-old orphan,
devastated after watching her family destroyed and living as a captive.
With tenderness and care, her lively spirit is revived, and the prophet
and his wife adopt Ishma, giving her a new name—Zibah, delight of the
Lord. As the years pass, Zibah wins Prince Hezekiah’s favor, a boy
determined to rebuild the kingdom his father has nearly destroyed. But
loving this man awakens Zibah’s painful past and calls into question the
very foundation of her father’s prophecies. Can she learn to rely on
only Yahweh, who gives life, calms fear, and conquers nations?
Isaiah’s Daughter releases January 16, so this pre-order deal is good until the day before! You can find it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, CBD, Parable, Lifeway, or see the full list of retail affiliates from the publisher.
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
Isn't it amazing to imagine all the things Mary experienced over the course of Jesus' growing-up years? I'm sure that's all left out of the Bible because we ladies would get soooooo sidetracked on all those details. LOL! Thanks for imagining a little with me. 😉
Love this post, Mesu! I cannot imagine all the things she "treasured in her heart." Thanks for the devotional!
Hooray, Jeanne! I'll add to my wish list that you get it. 😉
Thank you! This looks very good. Putting it on my wish list 🙂