The Kingdom of Righteousness

The beginning of Isaiah’s prophecy warned Israel of her sin, and spoken on behalf of God about the punishment that Israel was experiencing. While chapter 32 carries a more hopeful tone, this prophecy of God’s faithful ruler serves as a prophetic contrast with Israel’s human leaders. The people are told to trust in God, and not in the human authorities around them. Ultimately, God would provide a King – Jesus – whose reign would never end!

STUDY THE SCRIPTURE

 

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REFLECTION

 

Thy Kingdom Come; Thy Will Be Done

by Diane Ward

Childhood forward we long for justice and righteousness. My son was one of many children in the world who read C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, (the battle of good and evil.) When George Lucas’ Star Wars film further set our thoughts on the battle of good and evil, my son stood in line to see it and for days after said “Mom may the force be with you!”

There will be a kingdom of righteousness! “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together, and a child will lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6)

The glass ceiling of the universe needs no telescope. From heaven’s window God sees the sightless, sinless people who do not obey His law. He sees us when we do not practice the greatest law Jesus taught, to love our neighbor as ourselves. Constant threats of war, pandemics, cataclysmic weather, famine, racial hatred, and abortion of the sacred life force prevail. In (Psalm 73) Asaph lamented “why do the wicked prosper and boastful arrogant tongues spread deceit and discord.” Jeremiah lamented, “is there no balm in Gilead for the healing of the people.” (Jeremiah 8:22)

The tsunami of bad news local and world-wide weakens my spirit. My birth sign is said to be, the sign of peace. No matter how I try to avoid insidious news bytes peace is often hard to find. I treasure the time I spent in the Scottish Highlands a few years ago. It was a sabbatical of peace and serenity. 

When we pray, “thy kingdom come,” we invite Jesus to into our world. “Take your throne Lord, be present in my heart, my home, my family, my fears and doubts, occupy every corner of my life with the peace you alone can give.”

“Then the King will say to those on his right, (to the righteous,) “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34)

“Thy kingdom come; thy will be done!

 

UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER – TUESDAY

UNITY: God of peace, we pray for de-polarized, non-defensive pursuit of truth, unity, and equality. We pray for well engaged minds. Set us free from the competing narratives of our culture wars that funnel us into opposing camps and make of us a house divided. Kindle in us a desire for your truth that is larger than our desire to have been right.