Opening Prayer
Gracious God, I put myself before you in this moment with waiting heart, expectant desire. Open my eyes that I may see your promise fulfilled; open my ears that I may hear your word whispered to my deepest being.
Amen.
Passage
Isaiah 2:1-5
This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple 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. 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.
Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Reflection - Sarah Jones
Isaiah describes God’s future dwelling place, the mountain of the Lord’s temple, as the “highest of the mountains” and “exalted above the hills”. Someday, God’s kingdom will be perfectly established, and his reign will be obvious and undeniable. Someday, people from all nations will recognize the beauty and wisdom of kingdom living. God’s reign will administer true justice and usher in perfect peace. There will be no demand for weapons or cause for war.
But until that day comes, God’s people are invited to delight in the knowledge of this revealed but-not-yet reality of God’s reign. We are called to “live in the light of the Lord” and reflect kingdom living so that others can witness who God is and what his intentions are for the world.
As you reflect on God’s future kingdom today, look for and identify at least one way you notice God’s kingdom reality breaking into our world.
Closing Prayer
My Lord, may all that I have seen of you and all that I have heard from your word now enflesh itself in me. Send me from this place as the incarnate promise of life to all whose life I will touch this day.
Amen.