TO CHEW ON: "He will judge between many peoples
and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore. Micah 4:3
Can you remember a time when there was not a war happening somewhere on earth? I can’t. It seems that every night the news is full of problems in one part of the world or another. It’s much more usual to get news of more wars starting than to hear of people getting along. But Micah the prophet predicts such a war-free time.
Micah lived in Judah at the same time as Isaiah. God gave him messages for Samaria (capital of Israel) and Jerusalem (capital of Judah). They were messages of doom. “Samaria will be destroyed. Jerusalem has become just as bad. Soon it will be flattened and just a garbage dump.”
But Micah didn’t only predict bad news. God also gave him a message of hope. “In the last days Jerusalem will come back to life,” he said. “God Himself will rule from there. It will be a wonderful time when people will want to learn about God and His ways. God Himself will settle the quarrels between nations.”
Micah described a time when peace was everywhere. In that time people wouldn’t need their weapons any more. Instead they would make their swords and spears (weapons) into plowshares and pruning hooks (garden tools).
Has this prophecy come true? No. It is something we can still look forward to. But isn’t it a great thought, to have God, who knows everything and is always fair, as king? Won’t it be wonderful to live in a place where everyone gets along? I wonder what they’ll find to put on the news!
PRAYER: Dear God, please bring this peaceful time to earth soon. Amen.
MORE: Peacemaker
Wars start small. Disagreements and hurt feelings grow from arguments into fights. As more and more people take sides these fights take over nations and continents.
We may not be able to do much to bring peace to nations. But we can do something about bringing peace to our home, school and playground. Here are a few peace-making attitudes. Can you think of more?
1. Forgive when someone says something mean, hurtful or untrue about you.
2. Don’t believe rumor or gossip. Find out what was really said and try to understand how the other person feels.
3. Refuse to get even. Remember, it takes two to make a quarrel.
4. Love all people the same, regardless of abilities, looks, race or beliefs.
5. Repay evil with good.
6.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.
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