“I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
    my faithful love promised to David.
You will go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
    and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
    for an everlasting sign,
    that will endure forever. “

Isaiah 55:3b, 12-13 

–

December 31, 2025 

Happy seventh day of Christmas—and happy last day of 2025!  

What has this year been like for you? Take a moment to consider it. Maybe even take the time to write on a piece of paper, type into your phone app, or speak out loud a few of the biggest moments of your year. Here are a few prompts to get you started: 

  • What has been wonderful this year?  
  • What has been hard this year?  
  • How are you different now than when the year began?  
  • Where and how have you seen God this year?  
  • What invitation do you sense God offering you here, in this moment of transition?  

In our passage for the week, Isaiah is prophesying to a people still walking in darkness. They have not seen the Lord’s redemption. Far from it! Instead, they have lost everything. They are in exile in Babylon, and only a small remnant will survive and return. They cannot see their homeland with their eyes or touch it with their hands—and they will never regain what they once had.  

And yet: It is at this time and to these people that God is offering abundant life. It is to the “dead” that He is offering renewal. It is to the desperately hungry and thirsty that He is offering satisfying food and drink—for free!  

More, to this community that has lost their kingdom, their temple, their identity, God is offering a renewed covenant. This covenant will be everlasting. God invokes His faithful, steadfast love, promised during the short glory days of David’s united kingdom.  

Unbelievable! That’s like promising a patient on hospice that you will celebrate their birthday together ten years from now. Impossible! We won’t be alive to see it! We can’t get there from here!  

But God gives a sign. Not a rainbow this time, or spilled blood. No, to the people desperately holding on by their last thread, this is the sign God offers of His faithful love and eternal covenant:  

You will go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
    and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
    for an everlasting sign,
    that will endure forever.
(Isaiah 55:12-13) 

Special Message: 

For the past 11 years, Catherine McNeil has been the editor of our Wheaton Bible Devotions. She has edited, written, planned, and worked with a variety of writers to bring us beautiful words inspired by Scripture. This role is not easy, but God has used her as a writer to minister to our congregation. You can find her four books on Amazon, and each one has led me to growth in my walk with Christ. Personally, Catherine has encouraged, spoken wise words, and been a smiling face to sit with. She is finishing up her education and taking on new roles at this time, and will have to step away from her role here. We will miss Catherine and thank her for her ministry these past 11 years. 

Due to staff transitions, we will change our devotions starting in 2026. We encourage everyone to follow our church’s Bible reading plan, and since you are currently subscribed, we will send an online devotional associated with that plan to your inbox. Stay in the Word and keep growing in your faith. 

  • Pastor Phil Shields 

Church Reading Plan: 2 Chronicles 36; Revelation 22

Questions for reflection and discussion:  

  • Consider the reflection questions offered above. What in the past year do you need to lift to God, or invite God into? 
  • What do you make of God’s promise, made during a time of death and suffering with joy, peace, song, and new life as the seal and sign? 
  • Where is God inviting you into joy, peace, song, and new life in your season of death and suffering?