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The 2nd Sunday of Advent: The Day of No More Harm

     The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat,

the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Isa. 11:6–9 (NIV)

Lord Jesus, every promise God has made finds its “Yes!” in you, so we worship and adore you, for securing the Day Isaiah describes in this longings-fueling passage.

More than ever, we crave the Day when all enmity, strife, and violence give way to wolves frolicking with lambs, leopards and goats napping together, cows and bears lunching together, rather than having one another for lunch. Playfulness will replace stalking, and carnivores will become herbivores.

But as much as we love the vision of peace in the animal kingdom, Jesus, we long, a trillion times more for the Day when we two-legged image-bearers of God will never again harm one other. Political parties will be replaced with actual parties. No one will be used or sold, only welcomed and cherished. There won’t be any more spite, fight, or flight—no more selfishness, racism, or tribalism.

Indeed, hasten the Day when God’s glory will cover the earth like salt water covers the oceans of the world; the Day when knowing the Lord won’t be something we do, but who we are; the Day when we will finally and fully love one another as you love us, Jesus.

Until that Day, keep us groaning and growing in grace, Lord. Grant us quick repentances, softer hearts, and a passion for reconciliation. May the world recognize us as your disciples by the way we love one another. You have come, and you’re coming again, Jesus. How long, O Lord? So very Amen we pray, in your triumphant and tender name.

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