“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” (Isaiah 2:4 ESV).
The Lord gave Isaiah a vision of the latter days when all nations will come to Jerusalem to worship, a day when the Lord Himself will judge and bring peace to the earth. In that day there will be no need for weapons of war. The wealth and works of the nations will no longer be wasted on mutual destruction, but gainfully expended in the worship of God and for mutual welfare. Even the study of war will be lost, so that mankind forgets the art. Such a day Isaiah saw and we still await its arrival.
A well known spiritual was often heard during my younger years entitled, “Down By the Riverside.” Its lyrics were full of biblical imagery, much of it from Isaiah’s prophecy. Here’s an excerpt:
I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield, down by the riverside
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside.
I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield, down by the riverside
And I ain’t gonna study war no more.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we wait with hope for that Day when Your Son returns and establishes peace on earth. Until then, we are Your ambassadors. Strengthen us for the battle. We take up our sword and shield, which is the Word of God and our faith, again today in Your name, until that Day when we lay them down at Your feet. In Jesus’ name, amen.