Saturday, December 11, 2010
Isaiah 2:4 He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; 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 anymore.
O REX GENTIUM -- O KING OF GENTILES
O come desire of nations, bind
All peoples in one heart and mind;
Bid envy, strife, and quarrels cease;
Fill the whole world with heaven's peace.
The ultimate hope and dream of so many is ... peace on earth. How many Miss America contestants wish for it? How many politicians promise it? Yet Christ gives it. Certainly not in the way that people want it or expect. Just as Christ himself does not come in the way or through the means that people want or expect.
But nevertheless come He did and so does His peace. Not in the halls of the United Nations or in the lengthy forms of bureaucrats -- and definitely not in the might of our military. But rather in the hearts of those who hear His word.
All who belong to Christ are united and at peace with one another, even though the nations rage and gnash their teeth. Thus here we pray exactly what we always pray in the second petition, "Thy kingdom come" -- that through the preaching of His word, Christ's kingdom would grow and prosper and His peace would enter the hearts of many; that He would forgive us when we ourselves fail to stand firm upon His word and fail to share His peace with our neighbors. And finally we pray that in the end He would make a final end to all quarrel and strife when He creates a new heaven and a new earth where peace and righteousness will reign.
Lord Jesus come in Your word to spread Your Holy Kingdom.
