By Joshua Cooley
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 31:1-9, Isaiah 32:1-20, Psalm 91:1-16
These days, it seems like war is all around us. When we’re not reading about inflation, scandal, political corruption, or the latest weather-related disaster, conflicts between nations dominate the headlines. And from reading Scripture, we know—somewhat ominously—that such will be the case as long as this earth spins. Nations ruthlessly attack others in a brazen grab for more land, more power, and more geopolitical influence. It can feel overwhelming and hopeless at times. This is the price of sin, the cost of human pride. These are the consequences for going against our good and loving Creator.
Around 2,800 years ago, the ancient nations of Israel and Judah were surrounded by conflict as well. Eventually, the fires of war consumed their lands, which God had foretold: “For the palace will be deserted, the busy city abandoned. The hill and the watchtower will become barren places forever, the joy of wild donkeys, and a pasture for flocks…” (Isaiah 32:14).
But wait! The message ended not in despair but in hope! God continued: “until the Spirit from on high is poured out on us. Then the desert will become an orchard, and the orchard will seem like a forest. Then justice will inhabit the wilderness, and righteousness will dwell in the orchard” (vv.15–16). This promise was made to God’s ancient people, and we can still hold onto it today. The King of righteousness is coming. He will heal this weary world and set up a new, never-ending kingdom. We have hope—a great, abiding, and sure hope. This hope certainly doesn’t come from ourselves or anything in this world. Our hope is in a righteous King who has announced the coming of His kingdom. And what can we look forward to in this coming kingdom?
The result of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever. Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place, in safe and secure dwellings.
—Isaiah 32:17–18
Peace. Quiet confidence. Safe and secure dwellings. Forever. That sounds pretty good right about now, doesn’t it?
Take heart, sojourning Christian. Everything we experience, endure, lament, and fear today will be swallowed up forever when the righteous King comes and ushers in His perfect kingdom. Until then, we wait patiently, expectantly, joyfully. We wait knowing that “Indeed, a king will reign righteously, and rulers will rule justly” (v.1).
Amen. Come quickly, King of righteousness!
Written by Josh Cooley
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