God's Glory Church

“And they beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into sickles.” — Micah 4:3

My wife has a necklace and earrings from Ethiopia. Their elegant simplicity is evidence of the special talent of an unknown master. But the most amazing thing about these ornaments is their history. After decades of armed conflict and an ongoing civil war, Ethiopia’s land is littered with munitions fragments and shell casings. With hope for a better future, people clear the scorched earth and collect metal. Local artisans make jewelry from it.

In this story, I heard echoes of Micah’s prophecy, which spoke of a beautiful future. One day, the prophet proclaimed, people will beat “their swords into plowshares, and their spears into sickles” (Mic. 4:3). Weapons made to kill and maim will be transformed into tools to sustain life. In the Lord’s Kingdom, “nation will not lift up sword against nation, and war will no longer be learned” (v. 3).

Micah’s prophecy seemed as incredible in his lifetime as it does in ours. We also regularly encounter violence and war, and it seems impossible that the world will ever change. But God promises that, by His grace, the miraculous day of healing will come after all. And it is important for us to start living according to this truth right now. God is already helping us today to take up His work, turning the debris into beautiful things.

Have you ever seen God’s love turn evil into good? How can you participate in this transformation?

God, change our world. Work through me to bring Your beauty into him.

Author: Wynn Collier