Listen:
Isaiah 2:3-5
Many nations will go and say,
“Come, let’s go up to the Lord’s mountain,
to the house of Jacob’s God
so that he may teach us his ways
and we may walk in God’s paths.”
Instruction will come from Zion;
the Lord’s word from Jerusalem.
God will judge between the nations,
and settle disputes of mighty nations.
Then they will beat their swords into iron plows
and their spears into pruning tools.
Nation will not take up sword against nation;
they will no longer learn how to make war.
Come, house of Jacob,
let’s walk by the Lord’s light.
Consider:
Isaiah paints a picture of people from every nation streaming toward the mountain of the Lord. This picture includes nations upon nations coming to the mountain to follow God’s light. God’s light is not just something to admire; it’s something to follow. And following God’s light does not look like following the flashy lights of the latest craze on social media, or the latest rage in the news outlets.
God’s light reveals God’s path. It shows us where to place our steps, how to shape our decisions, and what kind of people we are called to become. Isaiah says, “He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.” So learning isn’t the end unto itself; once we learn, we must LIVE into that Light.
In a world full of noise, fear, and competing voices, God’s light cuts through the darkness. But choosing God’s path means turning away from other paths—paths of selfishness, bitterness, pride, vanity, or violence. Isaiah describes weapons being turned into tools of growth, and nations exchanging conflict for peace. That transformation only happens when people accept God’s ways above their own.
Then comes the invitation in verse 5: “Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.” It’s not a command weighed down with pressure—it’s an invitation filled with hope. God’s light leads us toward peace, wisdom, and purpose. But we must choose to step into it daily.
Respond:
Find a short nature walk, a new path you haven’t explored before (even if it’s just a new way to get from point A to point B in your house!). Take time to walk it, noticing how it feels to trust the path despite the fact that its new or different. Talk with God as you move, telling God your worries, your fears, and your trepidations of your faith journey as you take this short physical journey.
Pray:
Lord, thank Your light that guides and guides us on a path to you. Teach us Your ways, and give us the courage to walk in Your path even when it is difficult or unfamiliar. Help us turn from anything that pulls us into darkness, and lead us in the peace and wisdom of Your light. Amen.
