It's been quite a day, so I may come back and post some thoughts later, but for now, here are the scriptures I've been thinking about this week. I keep coming back to Isaiah 2:4. We get a picture of the last days, where people "beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks". I haven't been able to shake this question: What are my swords and spears, and how I could use all of the skills, energy and emotion I expend in a way that cultivates life?

Blessings to all of you.

Week One: Hope
Week Two: Peace
Week Three: Joy
Week Four: Love

In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.

Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Isaiah 2:2-5 (NIV)

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,
who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.

The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD.
Psalm 146:5-10 (ESV)

Labels: Jesus