This is What Heaven Will be Like

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Scripture: Isaiah 11:9-11 (ESV)

6  The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,

and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,

       and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;

and a little child shall lead them.

7    The cow and the bear shall graze;

their young shall lie down together;

and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

8    The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra,

and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.

9    They shall not hurt or destroy

in all my holy mountain;

       for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord

as the waters cover the sea.

 

Devotion:

The passage from Isaiah 11:7-9 paints a vivid picture of peace and harmony, a vision that transcends the ordinary experiences of life. It is a profound promise of a future where natural enemies coexist in perfect harmony. This scripture reflects the transformative power of God's kingdom, where even the most instinctual behaviors are altered in the presence of divine knowledge and love.

The cow and the bear grazing together, the lion eating straw like the ox, and children playing safely near dangerous creatures are images that challenge our understanding of the natural order. These illustrations serve as metaphors for the peace God promises—a peace where fear and harm are eradicated. The nursing child playing over the cobra's hole signifies innocence and trust prevailing over danger and deceit.

The key to this transformation is the "knowledge of the Lord" filling the earth as the waters cover the sea. This suggests a comprehensive and pervasive understanding of God's will and presence, influencing every aspect of life. When God's knowledge is fully realized, it creates a world where strife and destruction are no longer possible.

This passage calls us to seek and spread the knowledge of the Lord in our daily lives. It encourages us to live in ways that reflect God's peace and foster environments where harmony can flourish. By embodying the values of God's kingdom—love, compassion, justice, and mercy—we participate in the realization of this prophetic vision.

Let us pray for the strength and wisdom to be agents of peace in a world yearning for harmony. May our lives be a testament to the transformative power of God's knowledge, bringing us closer to the day when His peace covers the earth as the waters cover the sea.

Prayer:

            Lord, help us hope for the peacefulness of heaven to come quickly in our day. There is too much hostility and war. We seek peace, but our leaders only want more fighting and wars. Help us speak up for the peace you desire for us to have. Please help us be the peacemakers we so desperately need. Amen.

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