Day 1 - Lord's Day - Sunday | Daly Devotions | The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2025-2026 |

 March 29

Lesson 4 (KJV)

Waiting for God’s Peace

Devotional Reading: Revelation 5:8–14

Background Scripture: Isaiah 11:6–10; John 18:28–38; Ephesians 4:4–6, 13–19

Isaiah 2:2–4

2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established at the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Acts 17:26–28

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

Key Text

Many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.—Isaiah 2:3

Social Teachings of the Church

Unit 1: Fulfilling Our Obligations to Neighbors

Lessons 1–4

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

1. Summarize the main points of Isaiah’s prophecy.

2. Explain how God’s peace is already present in the world but not fully manifest until Jesus returns.

3. Create a plan for fostering peace in a specific context where unresolved conflict exists.

Lesson Outline

Introduction

A. Yearning for Peace

B. Lesson Context: Isaiah in Judah

C. Lesson Context: Paul in Athens

I. Final Peace Among Nations (Isaiah 2:2–4)

A. Mountain for All (v. 2)

B. Identification of Authority (v. 3)

C. Freedom from War (v. 4)

There Is a Place

II. Divine Origin of Nations (Acts 17:26–28)

A. Creator’s Actions (v. 26)

Honoring God

B. Humanity’s Response (v. 27)

C. Humanity’s Awareness (v. 28)

Conclusion

A. Promised Peace

B. Prayer

C. Thought to Remember

How to Say It

Aratus	Air-uh-tus.
Areopagus	Air-ee-op-uh-gus.
Epimenides	Ep-ih-men-ih-deez.
Macedonia	Mass-eh-doe-nee-uh.
Philippi	Fih-lip-pie or Fil-ih-pie.
Stoicism	Stoe-uh-siz-um.
Thessalonica	Thess-uh-lo-nye-kuh (th as in thin).
Uzziah	Uh-zye-uh.

Introduction

A. Yearning for Peace

Throughout history, war has been a constant reality. Examples of conflict are not hard to find; you can pick any century. In modern times, many of us grow weary of seeing headlines about wars and threats of war regularly. We live in a world that is often gripped by terrorism and violence. Nevertheless, most people desire peace. We yearn for it. But how can such peace arrive? Where will it come from?

The Bible tells us that true, lasting peace will only come from God. The total peace He promises has two aspects. The first is peace between God and us. The second is peace between humans, nations, and people groups. The first aspect has already been achieved through Jesus (Romans 5:1). This week, our Scripture texts reveal the path toward the second aspect.

B. Lesson Context: Isaiah in Judah

Isaiah began prophesying at the end of the reign of Uzziah, king of Judah, in about 740 BC (Isaiah 1:1; 6:1). During Isaiah’s lifetime, the kingdom of Judah faced threats from within and without. Whether the danger came from war with the massive Assyrian Empire (7:17) or injustice and violence within Judah itself (1:21–23), the future of its capital, Jerusalem, was uncertain.

The beginning of the book of Isaiah warns Judah against an even deeper conflict: a war of rebellion that the people were waging against God. The people of Jerusalem lived in unrighteousness, idolatry, and oppression; the once “faithful city” had become a “harlot” (Isaiah 1:21). Isaiah explains that the Judeans will have no peace with other nations or among their own people until they first accept God’s terms of peace. Thus, Isaiah calls Judah to repent (1:16–17). Amid promises of fearsome judgment, however, Isaiah also announces a message of hope: Jerusalem would once again become a “city of righteousness” through God’s redeeming work (1:26–27). The first of today’s texts (which has a parallel in Micah 4:1–3) picks up on this theme.

C. Lesson Context: Paul in Athens

On his second missionary journey (AD 52–54), Paul traveled through the region of Macedonia (modern-day northern Greece). During this journey, he planted churches in the cities of Philippi and Thessalonica (Acts 16:6–15; 17:1–9). Due to persecution in Thessalonica, Paul fled to Athens, some 300 miles to the south (17:14–15).

As Paul walked through Athens, he was distressed by the city’s idolatry (Acts 17:16). He responded by engaging fellow Jews, God-fearing Gentiles, and others in conversation about Jesus. Paul’s teaching drew the attention of local philosophers, who invited him to speak at the Areopagus, the space in which the city’s political council met (17:19). The Areopagus council likely had authority over which religious teachings were allowed into the city. These men had a rich knowledge of Greek philosophy but almost no familiarity with Hebrew Scripture. Today’s passage comes as Paul addresses this new, highly educated audience with the gospel.

I. Final Peace Among Nations

(Isaiah 2:2–4)

A. Mountain for All (v. 2)

                                                                                  

                                                                                  B. Identification of Authority (v. 3)

What Do You Think? What steps do you need to take to learn God’s ways better? Digging Deeper How do Proverbs 6:23; John 14:15; Colossians 1:10; and 1 John 2:5; 5:3 inform your response?

C. Freedom from War (v. 4)

What Do You Think? In what ways is the message of the gospel one of peace (see Romans 5:1; 2 Peter 3:14)? Digging Deeper How can we direct our gospel witness to move people from all nations toward peace with God?

                                                                                   II. Divine Origin of Nations

(Acts 17:26–28)

A. Creator’s Actions (v. 26)

26. And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.

Many of Paul’s listeners in Athens would have been trained in philosophy (Acts 17:18; see Lesson Context). With this in mind, Paul adapts his usual mode of sharing the gospel. Rather than beginning with obvious references to Hebrew Scripture, as he might with a Jewish audience (example: 17:1–4), some commentators propose that Paul adopts a common three-part form of classical debate:

I. Points of Reference

(common ground; Acts 17:22–23)

II. Points of Relevance

(importance of the topic; Acts 17:24–28)

III. Points of Disturbance

(how Christianity differs; Acts 17:29–31)

Well into his second point, by verse 26, Paul draws on his knowledge of Hebrew Scripture to strengthen his argument while also referencing concepts from Greek philosophy. He affirms the creation of humanity from one blood, affirming all peoples’ descent from Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:20). Much of Paul’s Greek audience, influenced by a philosophy called Stoicism, would have already agreed that all humanity came from divine origin (though they may not have been completely sure which god was the creator!). Paul’s statement regarding times and bounds may reflect texts such as Deuteronomy 32:8 and Isaiah 10:13. This language would have resonated with adherents of Stoicism, who held that all of history was guided by a single, powerful force.

                                                                                                      Honoring God

                      

                                                                                B. Humanity’s Response (v. 27)

What Do You Think? In what ways have you experienced the immanence and transcendence of God? Digging Deeper How would you explain the significance of these attributes of God to an unbeliever?

         C. Humanity’s Awareness (v. 28)

What Do You Think? What common starting points from contemporary secular culture can you draw on to introduce people to the gospel? Digging Deeper How can you be a better “student” of contemporary secular culture in this regard?

Conclusion

A. Promised Peace

When we suffer, or see others suffering, from the devastating effects of conflicts between nations, any hope for lasting peace may seem unrealistic. Christians might be tempted to imagine that God has left the nations to fend for themselves. But today’s texts tell a different story.

The Lord promises in Isaiah 2:2–4 that people will eventually end their conflicts with each other when they embrace His ways. Peace between humanity and God will ultimately result in peace between nations. Christians can rest assured that peace has been established between God and people through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1; 2 Peter 3:14). Yet while God’s reign of peace has begun, it is not yet fully complete. Until Jesus returns, there will always be wrongs to make right in the world. As His disciples, we are called to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9; James 3:18). Through Christ’s power, the church can be a shining example of peace in the world, starting within our own relationships. We must seek to live peaceably with everyone as far as it depends on us to do so (Romans 12:18). By leading the way in peacemaking, the church can truly be a light to the nations.

Although conflicts sometimes appear too deep to heal, Acts 17:24–26 reminds us that God has made each of these different groups for the purpose of seeking Him. Like Paul before the Areopagus council, we can use these differences as a launchpad to share the hope of the gospel.

One day, people from every nation and region, from every ethnic group and language, will stand before the throne of God and enjoy God’s peace (Revelation 7:9–12). This will happen when God renews all things, and the new heaven and new earth appear (21:1–4). Finally, all the kingdoms of this world will become one kingdom in our Lord.

What Do You Think? How will you practice peacemaking, thereby being a light to others of the gospel? Digging Deeper How can your class or congregation be agents of God’s peace in your neighborhood? town or city? country?

B. Prayer

Lord God, we pray for peace among the nations. Work among the nations through us, God, to move them toward peace and toward You. May they seek Your face. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

C. Thought to Remember

Nations will find peace only when they find God.

Involvement Learning

Enhance your lesson with KJV Bible Student (from your curriculum supplier) and the reproducible activity page (at www.standardlesson.com or in the back of the KJV Standard Lesson Commentary Deluxe Edition).

 John Mark Hicks, Nadia Vermaak, and Mark A. Taylor, “Waiting for God’s Peace,” in The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2025–2026, ed. Taylor Z. Stamps et al., vol. 73, The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary (Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2026), 263–264.