Jesus' New World Order (1)
Scripture Reading — Isaiah 11:6-9
The earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
Isaiah 11:9
Politicians in recent times have talked expectantly about a new world order that will bring harmony, stability, equity, and peace among the nations. But attempts to bring this into reality have failed miserably. (It seems as impossible as keeping a wolf and a lamb in the same pen!) The reason for these failures is simple: our human efforts for making this a new world don’t account for human brokenness. Sin has brought about separation not only between God and humanity but also between everyone in the human race.
Isaiah, however, speaks of the impact of the Redeemer in powerful poetic terms that explode our wildest dreams. Christ will create a community in which impossible enemies can come together in peace. Wolves and lambs, leopards and goats, young cattle and lions—all will live in a community of peace together. There is such innocence that an infant isn’t harmed by a cobra even though he puts his hand in its nest.
God’s grace works wonderfully to change sinners of every description and bring them into fellowship with one another. And God’s promises are beginning to be fulfilled as the Word of God spreads. The earth is filling with the knowledge of the Lord, and one day God’s kingdom will be complete. In this abiding new world order, peace will be the order of the day.
Gracious Father, thank you for reconciling people to one another through the gospel of Christ. May your gospel spread throughout the world today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — Victor Atallah
Rev. Victor Atallah is the broadcast team leader for The Back to God Hour Arabic ministry and the general director of Middle East Reformed Fellowship. These meditations are based on texts of Arabic broadcasts aired a few years ago and an Arabic commentary on the book of Isaiah prepared for publication. Rev. Atallah and his wife, Lisa, live in Larnaca, Cyprus, where The Back to God Hour Arabic ministry is based. The ministry reaches Arabic-speaking people throughout the Middle East and North Africa, introducing them to Jesus Christ, Savior of the nations.
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