This is a vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house

 will be the highest of all—

the most important place on earth.

It will be raised above the other hills,

and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.

The Lord will mediate between nations

and will settle international disputes.

They will hammer their swords into plowshares

and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will no longer fight against nation,

nor train for war anymore.

Isaiah 2:1-2, 4

Isaiah the Prophet lived in a bleak reality. Israel’s rulers were not leading with integrity, and Israelite cities were being conquered by the enemy at every turn. The current status of the world left much to be desired, but in the midst of it all, Isaiah remembered the promise of God to bring forth a faithful ruler who would lead all nations to peace. It was a promise for the weary that things would one day be made right, a glimmer of hope to hold onto in the face of hardship. That promise was Jesus. He first wrapped Himself in flesh to live among us and has promised that He will return again to establish His kingdom once and for all. Today, let us allow the truth of His first coming in a manger bolster us in the hope of His promise to come again to set all things right for eternity.

Prayer:

Lord, even when circumstances seem dark to my eyes, I know that you are always up to something good. Right now I invite your peace to reign in my heart. Help me to not become distracted by what I see, but rather to focus on your promises. Thank you for also showing me how to bring peace to others. Amen.