Isaiah 36:1-3, 13-20; 37:1-7; then 2:1-4, Christ the King: Swords Into Plowshares

Sunday, November 22, 2026
12:00 AM 11:59 PM 00:00 23:59

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Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today

“Do not let Hezekiah mislead you by saying, The Lord will save us. Has any of the gods of the nations saved their land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?”

— Isaiah 36:18

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NL Daily Devotion for Sunday, November 22, 2026

by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff

Main Idea: In a world that is ravaged with war and conflict in the name of God, your community can live loud and bold as purveyors of peace.

Hezekiah’s situation was dire. He was about to be overrun by Assyrian armies. Other lands had fallen despite unheard pleas to their gods. Hezekiah feared even God couldn’t save him from defeat. Isaiah knew better. What could God do to save them? Would they meet a violent end? Not this time.

God said that God would whisper in the king’s ear a faraway trouble that would draw him away from Hezekiah and back home, where he would meet his fate. God’s plan for saving Hezekiah was peaceful and passive. God’s whisper would save lives.

The prophets proclaimed that God’s ways are often peaceful. In the midst of turmoil and war, God promised a time when they could turn “swords into plowshares.” God promised to turn weapons of death into tools to nurture life. That is what God’s kingdom is: life. God’s reign is not a reign of terror or violence. God’s reign is peaceful and strong.

War is raging around the world right now. If God’s word is to be believed, then this is not how God desires our world to be. God’s goal for humanity is peace. Yet humanity seems to struggle to maintain peace for very long.

Unfortunately, instigators of many wars claim that theirs is a “holy war.” Even people claiming to be Christians are quick to label their own violent actions as ordained by God. They claim that the purpose of their warmongering is to force humanity closer to God’s will. It’s completely contradictory to say that the way to peace is through war. The way to peace is through peace, conversation, community, understanding, patience, and intention. Consider what it means to be a Christian of peace. Consider how you and your faith community can live out your identity as Christ’s own in a world where non-Christians and even other Christians are hostile to your flavor of Christianity.