Isaiah 2:1-5 (NRSV)
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Chapter 2The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. Verse 2In days to come the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Verse 3Many peoples shall come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Verse 4He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Verse 5O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Devotion
There is always a war going on somewhere. There has never been peace in my lifetime. Many people seem to hope for God to behave like some cosmic United Nations and seize all weapons of warfare, transforming them into agricultural implements. Others dream of a day when peace becomes the norm and warfare an ancient memory; but they are growing impatient and losing faith in the dream.
Perhaps the faithful way forward is to attend to the opening verses of the reading that bid us to go up the mountain of the Lord so that God may teach us and we may walk in God's paths. We cannot change the world or ourselves unless God leads the way. We cannot learn to be people of peace and hope unless we follow in the way of the cross. May all that we do in worship and in daily living open us up to God’s instruction and guidance.
Prayer
Dear God, we long for peace. Teach us how to be at peace with you and our neighbors. Lead us in right paths so that the world may see your goodness and mercy and be made new. Amen.