2025 Advent-Christmas Devotions
Monday, November 24
Isaiah 2:1-5
1 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2 In days to come
the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains
and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
3 Many peoples shall come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 He shall judge between the nations
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation;
neither shall they learn war any more.
5 O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
in the light of the Lord!
“… “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” …”
When I was at the seminary, there was one professor whose class everyone wanted to attend. Part of the reason was his high level of intellectualism and knowledge, but the main reason was his compassion and care for his students. (As anyone who has ever attended college or post-graduate school can attest, that combination is often rare.)
The prophet paints a picture of the Lord’s house in a similar way. Those who have heard of the power and authority by which the Lord offers instruction seek to go to that place. They recognize that the instruction offered there will not only help them better comprehend the teachings of God but also enable them to walk more faithfully in the way of the Lord.
God’s Word offers us the same opportunity. Through the Scriptures, the Spirit provides teaching and instruction not only in the power and authority of God but also in way of discipleship. Opening the Word allows us to see and experience the Lord firsthand, discovering who God is as Father, Son, and Spirit, and inspiring us to live according to the Lord’s command.
To mirror Isaiah: Come, let us open the Word of the Lord that, through the Spirit, we may discover God’s ways and be led to walk according to God’s will.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for providing us Your Word. Inspire me this day and every day to delve into Your Word that I may discover Your presence and power, and be led according to Your way. Amen.