Isaiah 2:1-5

“He 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.” vs. 4

What a vision Isaiah had for his people! His words have resonated in the hearts of God-fearing people for thousands of years and capture the deepest desires of every follower of Jesus. This is the world we dream of, a time when Veteran’s Days will be a distant memory and military academies will stand empty, an age without terrorism, suicide bombings, or drone strikes. True, it’s hard to conceive of such a possibility, indeed many will call this fanciful or even unpatriotic thinking, an idea to be resisted when our country’s economy depends on massive military spending. There are even many who believe that war is a blessing, an opportunity for young men and women to sacrifice their lives for a greater good. But how sad it would be for our world if Isaiah’s vision were lost! It would mean the victory of darkness, the abandonment of hope, and the ultimate annihilation of humanity. We have been created for goodness’ sake, to live together in harmony and savor God’s bountiful blessings. If our better selves are ever going to triumph, the vision of “swords into plowshares” must be kept alive!

Thought for the Day: Why can’t nations seem to live at peace with each other?