Xanthe Hancox

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.  Isaiah 2:4

This Scripture reminds me of the Knife Angel – a contemporary sculpture in the UK made from 100 000 blades. The knives were collected during a nation-wide amnesty campaign to reduce violent knife crime and highlight the need for social change. In today’s verse, Isaiah’s prophesy paints a wonderful picture of weapons that have been turned into farming implements because they are no longer needed for war.

Isaiah’s prophetic word makes us long for the day when there will be no more war. Isaiah hoped for that day, and we hope for it with him.

But the headlines of our daily news report that the world we live in is still anything but peaceful, despite the efforts of individuals and communities around the world. Daily we see fresh evidence of our inability to avoid war and embrace peace. With hope in Christ we anticipate the full peace of eternity, but right now we still experience the brokenness of this world. Peace has been created between us and God but we are not yet able to live out that peace fully.

We can give thanks for the hope we hear in Isaiah 2 about God’s peaceful kingdom. Indeed, when the Lord returns there will be no need for weapons and war. There will be no oppression of innocent people and there will be no more national powers plotting against other nations. The world will be at peace.

We all long for peace. And until the time when the Lord returns, may we do all we can to live peaceful lives in the world around us.

Prayer: Prince of Peace, we lament that war is still a reality in our world, and we pray that your peace will reign everywhere soon. Amen.