Isaiah 44:4-5

וְצָמְחוּ בְּבֵין חָצִיר כַּעֲרָבִים עַל־יִבְלֵי־מָיִם׃

זֶה יֹאמַר לַיהוָה אָנִי וְזֶה יִקְרָא בְשֵׁם־יַעֲקֹב וְזֶה יִכְתֹּב יָדוֹ לַיהוָה וּבְשֵׁם יִשְׂרָאֵל יְכַנֶּה׃

4 They will spring up like grass in a meadow,
like poplar trees by flowing streams.

5 One will say, ‘I belong to the LORD’;
another will call himself by the name of Jacob;
still another will write on his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’
and will take the name Israel.

The descendants of the faithful will "spring up" lush and thick like grass. The word "spring up" (וְצָמְחוּ) shows up again in Ezekiel 17:6 about a thriving vine but with a different application.

The people call themselves by different names -- "the Lord's," "Jacob," "Israel," and "I belong to the Lord" -- but they all trust in the Lord and are blessed by the Lord. Here is a place where we see a hint that there are people with different ways of applying their faith in God, but with faith nevertheless. Perhaps one relies quietly and completely on God -- "the LORD's." Another has perhaps fallen into sin and deceived some ("Jacob" means "Deceiver" -- Genesis 25:26) but still trusts in the sacraments. Another relies on God but perhaps becomes smug about it and draws attention to itself while it proclaims the truth ("I belong to the LORD"). And perhaps another has a history of struggling with God ("Israel" means "He struggles with God," Genesis 32:28).

Which are you? It takes a special insight to see our own faults, and admit our own failings. That's exactly why we trust Jesus as our Savior and our Forgiver. He knows our failings and our folly and he has given us his love.

Through Jesus, and only through Jesus. That is our way to forgiveness, to peace, and to eternal life.