Readings
Psalm 146:5-10, Isaiah 2:1-5, Matthew 24:36-44 Romans 13:11-14
Psalm 146:5-10, Isaiah 2:1-5, Matthew 24:36-44 Romans 13:11-14
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 ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war
any more Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the
Lord. Isaiah 2:2-5
Reflection
What do you hope for? This is a big question at a time of year when hopes
arecentred around material possessions.
In the hoping, there is God. In the longing, there is God. In
the hurt, there is God. In the unfulfilled promise of the year, there is God. In
the people we miss, there is God.
Could Isaiah actually have some idea that God would not only dwell with
His people, but that all the nations of the world would come and yield their
weapons of war to Him in surrender? It doesn’t stop there either. What happens
to the weapons of war? They are redeemed into tools for ploughing and
cultivating. What was once used for violence will now be taken and used to
encourage growth and health and maturity with visions of loving relationships.
Instead of fighting, the nations will now be seeking to tend to and lovingly
care for all of God’s creation in order to honour Him and bring great glory to
His Name. So friends, let us not be afraid to plough and to plant, for we
shall reap in joy! O come all you faithful, come to rejoice and adore,
come and know God.
Prayer
Source of all that is light and
life, truth and peace,
I have hope because your steadfast love never ceases
and your mercies never end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.
I remember those torn apart by fear, hatred, abuse, bitterness and scars of the past. May that same peace and hope bring justice, comfort and freedom. Amen
I have hope because your steadfast love never ceases
and your mercies never end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.
I remember those torn apart by fear, hatred, abuse, bitterness and scars of the past. May that same peace and hope bring justice, comfort and freedom. Amen
3 comments:
Thanks Jackie and New Song for inspiring words and for helping me to go deeper with God. You are enabling me to change my life.
Change is great and enabling but i wonder what are our lives changing into. I am really welcoming these Advent devotions and would like to more about this new song organisation please - do you have a wesbite?
Hi - Change can be so enabling and enriching as well as liberating. My prayer is that our lives shoule be changing to become more like Jesus - reflecting his compassion and tenderness to others.
You can find our much more about New Song Network - from NewSongWarrington.com
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