“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” ( Mathew 5:9).
Peace has been described as “freedom from disturbance…being in a state of tranquility”! Virtually every person desires peace because of its blessings. The absence of peace would mean being locked in a state of perpetual conflict, witnessing violence that endangers one’s life. Nations that are not at peace but plagued with war cause their peoples to flee and become refugees in other places. When a home lacks peace, with its members always at war with each other, certainly, some would rather move out than place themselves in a place of danger.
Now, the Christian faith is of peace. Long before Jesus was born the Prophet Isaiah proclaimed, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” ( Isaiah 9:6). Before he ascended to heaven the Lord gave a blessing to his disciple, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” ( John 14:27).
Peace is one of the blessing of walking with Christ. The Apostle Paul in his benediction to the church in Thessalonica concluded with, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord will be with you all” (II Thessalonians, 3:16 ESV).
As believers we enjoy that peace. This is why scriptures warn us that when we find those who reject the faith, instead of putting up a war, as some other faith do, ours is, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet” (Mathew 10:14). Believers in Christ bring and share the peace of the Lord wherever they happen to be. Where there is animosity they bring reconciliation. Where there are wars, they preach forgiveness. Where they find dissension bordering on cessation they preach unity that they may all be one under Christ.
Today, walk with that blessing and pass on the message of peace to your loved ones and those dear to your heart. That the peace of the Lord of peace abounds and put to rest hearts that are restless because He is here!
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray that your peace fills and overflows my heart, and I may gladly take it and share with all that they may believe, Christ is Lord, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
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21/05/2024 - 22/05/2024 All day“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet. Do not fear sudden danger or the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare” (Proverbs 24-26)
Anyone who has taken a long walk through dark forested woods knows the fear and trepidation of suddenly coming face to face with some dreadful creature stirring from nowhere. Hence, one walks gingerly, with his sixth senses fully alert.
In life, there are also those situations where we too can find ourselves fearful of the worst, a terror suddenly unleashed upon us by some nemesis, just as we had lowered our guard. Yes, some evil was waiting for the right time to knock us down.
In our verse today we see here some of the blessings of placing our confidence in the Lord. People tend to lose sleep when there is something there are most anxious of, especially when there are uncertain of the outcome. Also, there are certain job situations where in a rat chase one has no idea of the next move of his competition, and is ever fearful of a wicked surprise. When we walk with the Lord, we are at peace because it is not much of the circumstances around us that determine our fate. But it is His protection.
Our lives are much like how pilots enjoy a panoramic view of all that is below. For the traveler who has not that vantage view there can be that anxiety especially once caught in the thick of the jungle. But then by looking up to God who knows and sees everything hovering over us, why worry! This is why Paul writes, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray that your peace may abound upon me in whatever situation I face as I know you are in supreme control.
