Church Devotions: Changing Swords - Isaiah 2:4

Isaiah 2:4        He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. 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.

Two weeks ago I was at a conference in Duluth, Georgia. It was taking place at the world renowned Crosspointe Church and I felt refreshed and renewed in my spirit. I enjoyed the worship and the preaching, the testimonies and faith sharing. It was a very uplifting time and I am now looking forward to next year’s conference.

On the last day of the conference, I was listening to a conversation by one of the deacons at the church. He was explaining to a visitor that the church building used to be a Sidewinder missile factory thirty years ago during President Reagan’s administration. After the taking down of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent thawing of the Cold War, the factory was no longer needed. Eventually, the growing Crosspointe congregation bought the building and converted it into an amazing church space, where thousands of people gather each week to praise the Lord. Instead of a place of death and destruction, it has become a house of peace and prayer. The Lord has truly turned swords into plowshares!

In our own lives, we go through times of conflict and argument, disagreement and trouble. We fall out with family and friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Our hearts become hardened and our tongues fire verbal missiles that are meant to hurt, anger, or upset other people.

God wants to turn the swords of our spirits into plowshares of peace. As always, He has the power to make those changes, but we need to begin the process by swallowing our pride, humbling ourselves, and acting upon God’s guidance.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace to our planet and the Healer of the Nations. We pray that You will help us overcome the conflicts and disputes in our lives by leading us with Your Spirit to resolve the differences and disagreements we have with others. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, or ask a question about it, please send John an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest stained glass designs of a Siochain – a Celtic Peace Cross. If you would like to view a larger version of it, please click on the following link: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6113973739_53680e29ee_b.jpg