Of, If Only…

Today in Chicago the temperature is predicted to reach 85 degrees. That is warm! Although it does not appear to be a number we will see again in the next few weeks, I am certainly glad for today. For today I was able to drink my coffee outside on my patio, while writing this post.

This only caused me to reflect on a thought; what if just like the spring bursts forth with life – green leaves, a cascade of colors in flowers springing up. What if, one day we wake up and the nations have gotten the news that there is a God who lives and moves and answers prayer:

I will sing for joy in God, explode in praise from deep in my soul! He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo and a bride a jeweled tiara. For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers, and as a garden cascades with blossoms, So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom and puts praise on display before the nations. Isaiah 61:11 (MSG)

Yes, it is wonderful to rejoice in the God of our salvation, but the ceremony seems incomplete without those who don’t know Him. Thus we pray that the Master, God, will indeed bring righteousness into full bloom, and put praise on display. What a party that would be: no more senseless killing, no more thievery, manipulation, taking advantage of the helpless and the weak.

Just as the seasons cannot be changed by the Hand of Man, so it will take the power of God to beckon our nations to attention. To recognize that there is joy in serving the Lord, that there is peace in not infringing on the rights of others, that there is hope with every brand new day. “Oh, if only…”, I ask. The promise is the same:

The Message Isaiah got regarding Judah and Jerusalem: There’s a day coming when the mountain of God’s House Will be The Mountain— solid, towering over all mountains. All nations will river toward it, people from all over set out for it. They’ll say, “Come, let’s climb God’s Mountain, go to the House of the God of Jacob. He’ll show us the way he works so we can live the way we’re made.” Zion’s the source of the revelation. God’s Message comes from Jerusalem. He’ll settle things fairly between nations. He’ll make things right between many peoples. They’ll turn their swords into shovels, their spears into hoes. No more will nation fight nation; they won’t play war anymore. Come, family of Jacob, let’s live in the light of God. Isaiah 2:4 (MSG)

Maria