Tuesday – February 23, 2021

Scripture 

Micha 4:3-4 

They will hammer their swords into plows and their spears into knives. Nations will never again go to war; never prepare for battle again.’ 

[Preparation: Take a deep breath and exhale slowly….do it again. Place yourself gently in the presence of your God] 

Word of Hope 

How often do we recognize that the most quotable passages from the sacred texts occur in the Hebrew scriptures? The Christian Testament is founded upon a long and rich tradition from which we extended the conversation with the Lord found in earlier texts. And we believe that God is still speaking to us today in words and signs and prophets and events and in our hearts – if we but truly LISTEN. We are told that our faith can move mountains and yet, when is the last time we tried?! 

“They will hammer their swords into plows and their spears into knives. Nations will never again go to war; never prepare for battle again.’ Micha 4:3-4) 

This, obviously, remains a prayer and a goal in the face of the human condition. But it is a worthy aspiration and one in which we have some control. In or own lives do we strive to be just and fair as peacemakers? Are we argumentative with others and even those we proclaim to love? Are we generally oblivious to the weapons produced for domestic consumption and use and those that are designed and manufactured for international use? 

Who is the largest manufacturer and seller of weapons of war in the world? When it comes to the most destructive nuclear weapons – how many times do the stockpiles of various countries destroy the earth? How many times over will it take to make us feel “safe” and never be afraid again.? Peace starts with us and the relationships that we have. 

Prayer 

O Holy One! We are so far short of your desire for us to create the sort of world that Micha proclaimed as your Will. We desperately need your guidance and your reminders about the love you have for each of us. Let us be peacemakers in our own little world and with that little positive ripple in the Universe be joined with millions of others to form a tidal wave of faith, joy, 

peace and understanding. We are not alone because we know You are with us and we know others want to be with us, too. 

[Take a deep breath and exhale slowly….do it again.] 

Amen. 

Devotion Author 

Bob Shea 
Cathedral of Hope / United Church of Christ