Ministry has its challenges, but one of the joys of being a pastor is the privilege to declare a message of true hope in a world so immersed in tragedy and despair. This past Sunday I preached on Isaiah 2:1-5, which includes one of the greatest promises of Scripture: world peace.
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 (v. 4).
Nothing man has tried to bring peace on earth has succeeded. Nothing we can do will ensure that peoples and nations will no longer wage war with one another. History is the sad tale of our failure to achieve any real, lasting peace in our world.
But Isaiah promises a day when peace will arrive, when nations will transform their instruments of war into means of production and prosperity. The prophet’s vision will come to fruition when Jesus Christ returns again to establish his eternal reign over all creation. When he comes he will banish all sin and evil from his new heavens and earth and raise up his people from the grave holy and sinless, just as he is.
Then at last there will be peace on earth. The Savior who came to bring us peace with God by dying for us will establish his reign of peace forever and ever when he comes again. What a glorious promise, and what a privilege to proclaim this hope to others!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Scott