Imagine being in a war for a long period of time. Thankfully many of us have not experienced that. But for those who have, the promises of no more wars and a new day of peace are a welcome message.

In the last days the LORD says things will be different. The people will come to Israel. The nations will flock to her. They will seek the advice because Israel fears the LORD. The nations will have peace. They will each rest and joy the land that the LORD has given them without feeling the need to war against each other. It will be a new day. A good day. They will turn their weapons into farm implements.

Such a day seems impossible. But the Bible says that day will come. Will it be the millenium? Is it figurative for the spiritual reign of God when his kingdom comes?

Israel was still going to go into captivity. They would still face the judgment of their sin for 70 years. And their enemies would mock them and lust after their land.

But the enemies did not know the plan of God. That it was God’s intention to return them to the the land of Israel and make them even more bountiful and prosperous before. In the land.

That’s often the ways of God. Redemption and restoration that was even greater than before.

Yesterday I was out sitting on the porch swing. There was so much beauty. Trees, a bumble bee, crickets, birds, grass, colors. So much diversity and yet all working in unity. That’s his way.

And that’s the heart of God. That all of his creation, including humans, recognizing our uniqueness and live at peace with one another. But that can only happen when we endorse the ways of God. We cannot reject Him and have it our way way.

That’s what Israel tried to do and it didn’t work out. Because anything outside the ways of God ALWAYS bring harm to oneself and to other people.

We long for the day of peace. We long for a new day among us.

That will come when the kingdom of God is what is established upon earth.

His kingdom come, his will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.