and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and 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 anymore. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Thought for Today
Welcome to day 2 of Advent 2022. As you see from today's text, we are on a journey, a spiritual pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the Lord. Dr Luther has an insightful perspective on this: "This is what will influence and draw the nations, so that they flow to Christ and learn, namely, the Word.... From this place the scepter of Christ's kingdom was sent forth through the apostles without force in supreme peace, and the sweetness of this peace takes hold of the nations. But behold here the promise of the new word, a new law, namely, one that is different from that which was given from the cloud and on Sinai.
Here a place different from Sinai is designated. Law, that is, proclamation. The prophecy stands that a proclamation shall flow from Jerusalem into all nations. This was done through the apostles... 'Their voice has gone out to all the earth' (Rom. 10:18). By the Word alone therefore, the church is recognized , and in the glory of the Word the reign of Christ is described. The Word draws the people, makes them willing and joyful. Thus the church is exalted and triumphs against tyrants and heretics even in the midst of tribulation, in order that they may be forced to confess that this is true."
Isaiah's prophecy is about the ultimate return of Jesus here, the ultimate bliss of Eden, the restoration of God's perfect plan with the return of Jesus to rule. Advent is a time for preparing our hearts on a macro scale. What is our role? It is to step out in faith as the apostles did and profess truth in love to the world each day.
Prayer
Dear Lord, My head and heart are spinning. My historical focus in Advent has been on Jesus' birth. As I read Your vision from Isaiah's text, Jesus' birth is just the beginning. Help illumine my heart as I join You in this season of preparation and show me Your way and the role You desire me to play in Your plan. Thank You for loving me and inviting me into Your journey. Amen.
Devotional Quote
At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern.
― Mother Teresa
Quote of the Day
Faith must precede all effort to understand. Reflection upon revealed truth naturally follows the advent of faith, but faith comes first to the hearing ear, not to the cogitating mind.
Advent, Day 2
Isaiah 2:3-5
and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and 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 anymore. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Thought for Today
Welcome to day 2 of Advent 2022. As you see from today's text, we are on a journey, a spiritual pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the Lord. Dr Luther has an insightful perspective on this: "This is what will influence and draw the nations, so that they flow to Christ and learn, namely, the Word.... From this place the scepter of Christ's kingdom was sent forth through the apostles without force in supreme peace, and the sweetness of this peace takes hold of the nations. But behold here the promise of the new word, a new law, namely, one that is different from that which was given from the cloud and on Sinai.
Here a place different from Sinai is designated. Law, that is, proclamation. The prophecy stands that a proclamation shall flow from Jerusalem into all nations. This was done through the apostles... 'Their voice has gone out to all the earth' (Rom. 10:18). By the Word alone therefore, the church is recognized , and in the glory of the Word the reign of Christ is described. The Word draws the people, makes them willing and joyful. Thus the church is exalted and triumphs against tyrants and heretics even in the midst of tribulation, in order that they may be forced to confess that this is true."
Isaiah's prophecy is about the ultimate return of Jesus here, the ultimate bliss of Eden, the restoration of God's perfect plan with the return of Jesus to rule. Advent is a time for preparing our hearts on a macro scale. What is our role? It is to step out in faith as the apostles did and profess truth in love to the world each day.
Prayer
Dear Lord, My head and heart are spinning. My historical focus in Advent has been on Jesus' birth. As I read Your vision from Isaiah's text, Jesus' birth is just the beginning. Help illumine my heart as I join You in this season of preparation and show me Your way and the role You desire me to play in Your plan. Thank You for loving me and inviting me into Your journey. Amen.
Devotional Quote
At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern.
― Mother Teresa
Quote of the Day
Faith must precede all effort to understand. Reflection upon revealed truth naturally follows the advent of faith, but faith comes first to the hearing ear, not to the cogitating mind.
― A.W. Tozer