“In the last days…many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord…that He may teach us concerning His ways, and that we may walk in His paths… And He will judge between the nations…and they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks…and never again will they learn war. Come house of Jacob, and let us walk in the light of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:2-5).
Ever start reading a novel and then decide to look at the last page, or the last chapter? I do, I’ll admit, but I know I’m not alone. It’s only natural, though, when we get bogged down in the mystery or a little bored with the plot development, we want to see where we’re headed, and if the ending is satisfying. Only then do I decide to invest more time in the book and go back to where I left off.
Reading the prophets of the Old Testament is a little like that. Things appear out of order, and we’re not sure where we are in the story. Isaiah reads like a panorama of history—past, present, and future, though not in that order, always. But the great part is knowing how the story ultimately ends. All the turmoil and confusion comes full circle and God restores His people.
The incredible part is that “all peoples,” in every nation, will find their way to the mountain of our God. “The mountain of the house of the Lord will be established as the chief of the mountains, and will be raised above the hills and all the nations will stream to it” (v. 2b). As if a homing device has been set off, people everywhere will desire to leave the day-to-day rat race and find truth in the living God and His ways. Zion will draw them.
This, however, is after centuries of doing it all wrong. What the Bible calls “idols” fill our lands, yet we’re not tired of them. “Their land has been filled with silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures…They worship the work of their hands, that which their fingers have made” (v. 7-8). Until we turn from our pride and seek “the splendor of His majesty,” we can expect more of the same. But the prophet says, “And the pride of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men will be abased, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day” (v.17). Some day, sooner than later.
Just as Jesus’ birth was foretold many centuries before, so will God’s word be established in all the land, and its resulting effects will dramatically alter the way we’ve been living life. As I see events unfold in my time and in my own land, I’m not surprised that life is becoming increasingly difficult—government turf wars with little wisdom in evidence, financial bankruptcy on a global scale, and dangerous tensions in many quarters, resulting in unrest. Can you feel the acceleration? It’s all going to come to a head some day.
But until that time, what can we do to not be afraid or lose hope? Let me suggest what many Old Testament and New Testament writers recommend: Know the outcome and live the Still Life following after the Victor. He has it all planned out with the end in mind. Humble ourselves and listen to His voice. It will guide us Home. We are on the path when we walk in His light. The outcome is sure, and it will be upon us before we know it.
Prayer for a New Order
Father, Lord of all, thank you for revealing the end of Your story to us. It is, however, not the end, but a chapter called, Earth Time. May we trust in Your faithful love, wisdom, and power to get us through this part with You. May we make a difference in our times because of Your Son’s life in us, drawing others to Himself.
Let me humble myself daily in Your presence and listen to Your voice. Help me to recognize idols when they present themselves and release my grip on them. And finally, may I see that blessed time when all nations come to Your holy mountain to be taught by You. I look forward to a different order, all planned for. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Draw me Nearer –Fanny Crosby
“I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice, and it told Thy love to me; but I long to rise in the arms of faith, and be closer drawn to Thee…(chorus)
Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord, by the power of grace divine; let my soul look up with a steadfast hope, and my will be lost in Thine…(chorus)
Oh, the pure delights of a single hour that before Thy throne I spend; when I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God, I commune as friend to friend…(chorus)
There are depths of love that I cannot know till I cross the narrow sea; There are heights of joy that I may not reach till I rest in peace with Thee.
(chorus)
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord, to the cross where Thou hast died; Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord, to Thy precious bleeding side.”
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