God’s vision for all nations is for all people of all nations to be at peace. Read Isaiah 2:1-5. In recent times, we have seen the ugly devastation of war. Ukraine’s cities are in ruins. The Gaza Strip and Lebanon are in ruins. A civil war in Sudan has displaced 10 million people. Drug cartels within the borders of several South American nations have carved out their own territory of influence and are constantly at odds with local governments. Long before modern conflicts, the nation of Israel had just lost a war with Babylon. It wasn’t really much of a war because Babylon was a superpower and Israel had very little military technology. They were no match for the seasoned and well-trained Babylonian Army. Jerusalem was destroyed. Men, women, and children were killed. The Temple was plundered. Thousands of people were taken into captivity. In the aftermath of this overwhelming defeat, the prophet Isaiah cast God’s vision for the people that one day all nations would be at peace. As we celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States, we are mindful of God’s vision for us and all nations. When the colonies declared their independence from the British Empire, a war ensued. Although the United States defeated the British, the British weren’t done with the conflict and tried to regain its territory in the War of 1812. Almost 50 years later, we fought our own Civil War to end slavery. We were involved in two world wars. Our longest war was the War on Terror that was started when a group of Islamic radicals flew planes into buildings. Each of these wars has come and gone, only to be followed by a new war. Today, as in the days of Isaiah, it is good to remember the words of the prophet, “Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Let us walk in the light of the LORD.”

God of all nations, we surrender to your vision of peace for all people. We long for peace. Our hearts desire peace. Help us to be instruments of your peace. Let us hope for peace. Amen.