“Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified.” (Isaiah 60:21, ESV)

Isaiah 60 speaks of the future when God will glorify Israel above all nations. All the nations will joyfully come to her bringing their wealth. How different from what we see today! At that time there will be no more violence in the land—no massacres and no missiles. Instead, the walls of Jerusalem will be called Salvation and her gates will be called Praise. There will be no more sun or moon, for the LORD Himself will be her everlasting light.

In the evil world in which we live, it is difficult to imagine such a time. What will it be like when everyone is righteous all of the time? What will it be like when people never offend others nor are offended by others?

The kingdom age will be unlike anything we have ever experienced, and we cannot comprehend it. But we do know that it will be the perfect work of the LORD. Israel will be the branch of His planting so that He might be glorified.

In the meantime, we ought to consider that we also are the branch of God’s planting. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, so that God may be glorified.

This week we have been preparing for our 30th anniversary as a church. I have been pouring over pictures and memories of so many people we have known over the years. And through it all I have seen the light of God’s glory. He gifts us, calls us, and uses us to touch others with His love, grace and truth, so that the name of Jesus may be praised to the glory of God the Father. If we continue to do this, then I have no doubt that we will possess the land forever, and no one will ever drive us out!