There are two passages assigned for today!
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 2
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. [Isaiah 2:3]
Through Isaiah, God shares His dream of a day when all people, from all nations, will come to Him looking for His love and wisdom.
God’s purpose was to raise up a missionary people through the descendents of Abraham in order to invite and welcome all people back to God – blessed to be a blessing [Genesis 12:1-2].
God established His missionary base in Jerusalem, on the top of a hill, in the temple; it was to be a meeting place between God and the nations.
And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: “‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’ ? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’ [Mark 11:17]
It is in light of this dream that Isaiah then records God’s frustration; the people He blessed did not share the blessing with others, but horded it to themselves and looked down on the others.
Instead of building bridges between the nations and God, they put up barriers.
They become proud of their special place in God’s plan, and forgot about everyone else.
The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled) [Isaiah 2:12]
The arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day [Isaiah 2:17]
Through Isaiah God makes it clear that He will not tolerate their arrogance; through Jesus He demonstrates His anger, by overturning tables in the temple.
God does not show favoritism [Romans 2:11], and He will not tolerate it among His followers [James 2:1-9]; His invitation of grace is open to all, but those who are to proud to admit they need it, and look down on those who do, will eventually miss out on it.
We believe a day is coming when God will put an end to the proud selfish spirit that is at the root of this messed up, miserable world.
We eagerly anticipate a time when warfare and violence and cruelty will cease – because God will remove those who refuse to change.
He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. [Isaiah 2:4-5]
We believe that a day is coming when people will no longer arrogantly prance nor cower in fear in the darkness, but all people will walk humbly, confidently in the light of God’s love and truth.
Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord. [Isaiah 2:5]
But it starts now.
We need to live now what the world will one day be – as peace-makers, bridge-builders, humble and generous servants of the light.
This is who God is looking for, to populate His new world, to gather around His mountain.
PRAYER:
Lord, this is the world I want to be a part of. This is the world You want me to start living now, so that Your kingdom will come, and Your will will be done on earth as it is in heaven!