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1 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 In days to come the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. 3 Many peoples shall come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; 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 any more. 5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord! (Isaiah 2:1-5 NRSV)
Good Wednesday to you, dear Friend! May the blessings of preparation be yours in a mighty way.
Yesterday was a great blessing for Nellie and I who are on a mini-outing with dear friends. They suggested we visit Moody Gardens' Holiday Extravaganza and it was awesome. What made it so nice, besides the company of dear friends, was that Tuesday is Seniors Day, and those of a certain age (65 or older) get to enter for only $30 each. And that included all the attractions including the Festival of Holiday Lights and the marvel that is Iceland, a room cooled to 9 degrees (yes, brrrr!) and these marvelous ice sculptures made by Chinese artists are on display. To enter you must wear one of their parkas and enjoy the marvels from around the world done in ice.
The real highlight was a 3D movie called "Jerusalem" that told the story of the Holy City. It shared how this ancient city of the Jebusites became the center of three of the world's major religions. The Jebusites found the highest mountain in that area and it is believed they worship the Shalems, gods of the sun, and the site became known as Jerusalem. But the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah as he shares it today, came true when King David's son built the original temple in the highest point of Jerusalem where it stood as a beacon and symbol for all of Israel. What the prophet said came true; people would say "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths." And still today, in the Son of God, we find that the best counsel, advice, and direction for meaning and purpose in life come from looking up to Him and obediently listening to what God can say to us through what Jesus taught and lived.
Advent is that which prepares us for more faithful listening and more obedient ways to walk with the Lord. Hope, joy, cheer, strength, purpose, direction; all these come from above, not below. The placement of the Temple on the highest point of Jerusalem called to people to look up towards God. The results would be as Isaiah said, "God will judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; 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 any more." The upper things call for change in our thinking and perspectives; the lower things call for destruction and war. This passage inspired the song, "I'm not gonna learn war no more," a song meaning the positive changes that come through knowing the Lord call us to become people of peace and compassion. Advent is that time when this can happen.
PRAYER: Loving Father, lift us up beyond the things that destroy and divide. Make us like You and Your Son, people of the higher way, the way of life. And let it begin right now. In Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be a person of the higher way!
Blessings of peace and love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
