“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them” (Isaiah 11:6 ESV).
The world will not stay as it is. A remaking is around the corner. Isaiah prophesied of a day of peace and tranquility when the Messiah shall return and reign over all creation. Even though now, as the apostle Paul writes, “the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth” (Rom. 8:22). There is coming a day when this groaning will be overcome by glory.
There have been foreshadowings of this Messianic Age. For Jesus is the “Shoot” that came forth from the “stump of Jesse” (Isa. 11:1). For although the throne of David, whose father was Jesse, would be cut off, out of that family line, the Messiah Jesus would be born. This Jesus demonstrated His authority over all creation. As a little boy, He stumped the teachers in the temple. And as a man, He commanded the wind and the waves to be still and the fish of the sea to fill a net and pick up a coin to help pay Caesar’s tax.
Yet a Day is coming when Jesus Christ will return and fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy. And in that Day, “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isa. 11:9).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we groan along with creation for that Day when Christ returns. Yet we groan with hope and eager anticipation, knowing with confidence that what You have promised, You will fulfill. Until then, strengthen us to declare the Good News of Your Son to the whole world. In Jesus’ name, amen.