At his return, Jesus “will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes—for he is the Prince of Peace. Every nation will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into tree-pruning and gardening tools. Nation will no longer fight against another nation, nor will they train their young people to wage war against each other.” (pp Isa. 2:4)
Lord Jesus, “Memorial Day” is a day for honoring the men and women who sacrificed their lives serving in some branch of America’s Armed Forces. The ongoing warfare in Iran and Ukraine, intense tension between other countries, and the antagonism between political parties in our own country “accompany” this year’s Federal holiday in the USA.
We are SO ready for the Day when every expression of hurt and harming, destruction and death will be eradicated, Jesus. On that Day the earth will be filled with your glory and populated by your every-nation Bride. It will be impossible for us to ever sin again, and only possible for us to love as you love us (Isa.11:9; Num.14:21; Hab.2:14; Rev.7; Rev.21:1-22:6; 1Jn.3:1-3).
Jesus, thank you for paying the price to bring final and full peace into our world and lives. You are Prince of Peace because you came as Lamb of God. Because of your finished work, we live in anticipation of the Day when swords and spears, drones and missiles will become garden tools for cultivating the new heaven and new earth.
Our “forever-curriculum” won’t be war-learning, but love-learning. All malevolence, meanness, and madness will be un-remembered history. Not a shred of petulance, pettifoggery, or pettiness will survive your coming, Jesus. Every anti-grace thought, word, and deed will be gone forever. Please come soon, Lord Jesus. Until you do, fill our lives with bold kindness and compassionate courage. Renew, refire, and refuel our love for you, Jesus. So Very Amen.
