Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: Isaiah 11:1-9

This week the invitation is to repent towards Jesus by filling our minds and hearts with truth about Him. It may seem a little strange, then, to read a passage from the Old Testament. But this is a prophecy about the coming Messianic King, so we know that it is actually all about Jesus.

And as we gaze upon the wonder of Jesus today, let’s notice in this reading that the outcome of His reign is a miraculous peace. Verse 6-9 is a wonderfully poetic section portraying the truly supernatural peace that results when the Kingdom of God is present. Here the wolf lives with the lamb, the lion lies down with the calf, little children play near the viper, and no harm comes to any of them. They are at peace. This is Isaiah’s poetic description of Jesus’ Kingdom of Peace.

Don’t you hunger for a foretaste of that Kingdom now? Don’t you long to be His instrument to bring about the realization of His Kingdom Peace in your home, family, workplace, circle of friends, and in the world today?

The good news is that, because Isaiah 11:1-9 is all about Jesus, and because the Spirit who anointed Him also lives within us, we can be instruments of His Kingdom of peace. We can remind ourselves in every circumstance today (from v.1-5) that the Lord Jesus fully understands the complexities we face in ways that we never can. He is filled with wisdom and able to counsel us in the right way to navigate even the most difficult situation. When the going gets tough, He is able to empower us to continue to live in the way He has shown us – the way that delights the LORD. So in every situation, let us “repent towards” Jesus. Let us turn to Him and trust Him to supply all that we need by His Spirit within us, knowing that He will never fail us!

When we truly operate in the wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, might, fear and delight of the LORD, we will be His instruments to bring about another slice of His Kingdom of peace on earth as it is in heaven.

Lord Jesus, I turn to You today. Please direct my life in Your paths of wisdom, and use me to extend Your Kingdom of peace – on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.