Peace

Sunday July 7^th, Isaiah 66: 12 for this is what the LORD says:  "I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. 13 As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem."  Peace will come, not by our hand steeped in violence, or the weapons we carry in them, but from the Lord who created all people and declared all creation good.  Peace will even come to Jerusalem, not through walls and security forces and the rockets’ red glare, but through the one who returned to her to face once again the cross of anger and separation and bring to all, on both sides of rockets, security forces and walls, the gift of salvation and forgiveness.  The Lord will come and bring peace to her children who only seem to want to fight.  Perhaps we want to grow up and stop fighting now and work for this plan for peace that comes from God, not against it. It is a plan that is not only for Israel or Jerusalem, but for all people and for all time.  Then, when the party comes, it will be a much better party if we are living in the midst of Peace already.