Monday, November 28
Reader: “Maranatha! Which means…”
Response: “Come, Lord Jesus.”
Scripture: Micah 4:1-5
In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house
will be the highest of all—
the most important place on earth.
It will be raised above the other hills,
and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.
People from many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of Jacob’s God.
There he will teach us his ways,
and we will walk in his paths.”
For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion;
his word will go out from Jerusalem.
The Lord will mediate between peoples
and will settle disputes between strong nations far away.
They will hammer their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will no longer fight against nation,
nor train for war anymore.
Everyone will live in peace and prosperity,
enjoying their own grapevines and fig trees,
for there will be nothing to fear.
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies
has made this promise!
Though the nations around us follow their idols,
we will follow the Lord our God forever and ever.
Some thoughts:
As you read Micah’s prophecy, notice the italicized, bold-faced words.It’s hard to believe that something like what is described would ever happen. I mean, people from all over the world streaming to Jerusalem to worship the Lord? . . . people from Iran, Peru, Nepal, Sudan, Albania? The Lord himself teaching and mediating between peoples and nations? No conflict between China and Taiwan . . . North and South Korea at total peace.? Harmony and unity between people in the United States? Europeans worshiping God? Everyone living in peace and prosperity? Such a description does not seem feasible, realistic, or in any way possible. Is someone dreaming?
How is this possible that something like what is pictured here would ever come to fruition? The answer is right in this passage. The Lord will mediate between peoples and nations. The mediator is not man, but God. Then we see in the last words of this pericope, the Lord God has made the promise which means it most certainly will happen. We must lay aside our doubts; it is God’s word and he does not lie. Every promise he ever made has come true.
This may seem like an unusual way to start the advent season. We must remember that advent begins turning our attention to the end of time, the era when Christ returns and sets up his kingdom on earth. Though he is living in the 8th century BC, the prophet Micah foretells what is yet to happen in our day! As we prepare for Christ’s return, his “advent,” let us always be aware, watch, and wait for the biggest picture to be fulfilled even as we go about our daily lives. We have God’s word on it! It will come to pass.
Music: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” Joshua Aaron
Prayer: Lord Jesus, the day is drawing ever nearer for your return. I cannot imagine what the world would be like as Micah described it. People living in peace and prosperity seems like something that will never happen. We also realize that you are the One who brings such a world into existence. And so we look forward to your return in one of the days that lies ahead. Until then, may our lives bring glory to you, our Father in heaven. In the name of Jesus, our returning Redeemer of the world, we pray. Amen. —Daniel Sharp