The Rev. Dr. Ron Cole-Turner, H. Parker Sharp Professor of Theology and Ethics

Scripture

Isaiah 2:1-4

1 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2 In days to come 
          the mountain of the LORD’s house 
     shall be established as the highest of the mountains, 
          and shall be raised above the hills; 
     all the nations shall stream to it. 
3     Many peoples shall come and say, 
     “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, 
          to the house of the God of Jacob; 
     that he may teach us his ways 
          and that we may walk in his paths.” 
     For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, 
          and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 
4 He shall judge between the nations, 
          and shall arbitrate for many peoples; 
     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 any more.

Devotional

Deafened as we are by all the noise that clamors for our attention, sometimes we wish that One Voice would rise above the rest as the highest mountain towers over foothills, that everyone else would just be silent, and that the whole world would hear the message of peace echoing from the mouth of God. We know that is not likely to happen soon.

Disheartened as we are by violence so sickening that it makes us want to shut our eyes, sometimes we wish that One Judge would right our wrongs and bring such peace that weapons are refashioned as farm tools. Not much chance of that, either.

And yet we hope. Despite the evidence, the long wait, the rage, or the bombs. We hope because above it all we hear a voice, not a booming voice from the highest mountain, but in the cry of a child in the night. For thus it is that Peace is born.

Prayer

Come, Holy Savior, Jesus Christ, God with us. How we need you! If our night is dark, shine all the more with the radiance of your light. Amen.

The Rev. Dr. Ron Cole-Turner, H. Parker Sharp Professor of Theology and Ethics

Scripture

Isaiah 2:1-4

1 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2 In days to come 
          the mountain of the LORD’s house 
     shall be established as the highest of the mountains, 
          and shall be raised above the hills; 
     all the nations shall stream to it. 
3     Many peoples shall come and say, 
     “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, 
          to the house of the God of Jacob; 
     that he may teach us his ways 
          and that we may walk in his paths.” 
     For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, 
          and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 
4 He shall judge between the nations, 
          and shall arbitrate for many peoples; 
     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 any more.

Devotional

Deafened as we are by all the noise that clamors for our attention, sometimes we wish that One Voice would rise above the rest as the highest mountain towers over foothills, that everyone else would just be silent, and that the whole world would hear the message of peace echoing from the mouth of God. We know that is not likely to happen soon.

Disheartened as we are by violence so sickening that it makes us want to shut our eyes, sometimes we wish that One Judge would right our wrongs and bring such peace that weapons are refashioned as farm tools. Not much chance of that, either.

And yet we hope. Despite the evidence, the long wait, the rage, or the bombs. We hope because above it all we hear a voice, not a booming voice from the highest mountain, but in the cry of a child in the night. For thus it is that Peace is born.

Prayer

Come, Holy Savior, Jesus Christ, God with us. How we need you! If our night is dark, shine all the more with the radiance of your light. Amen.