MAKE PEACE
When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them. Proverbs 16:7 (NLT)
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:17-18 (NIV)
With a quick word search, you’ll find that the word peace (or peaceful, or peacefully) appears in the Bible more than 250 times. There are several ways this word (or concept) is used.
Sometimes, the word peace describes the restored relationship we have with God when we believe in the full and final saving work of Jesus. He took upon Himself the penalty for our sins and made us right (justified) with God. He paid our debt. Justice has been served. The moment we believe, we move from being enemies of God to having peace with God. Romans 5:1-2 and Colossians 1:20 describe this kind of peace.
Other times, peace refers to the experience of calm and rest we feel as we release our anxiety and burdens to God. It’s the deep breath we’re able to take when the pressures of life lift from our shoulders and the internal racing and wrestling come to a halt. Psalm 23 and Philippians 4:6-7 come to mind as examples.
Another way Bible writers used the word peace was to describe times of rest between nations who’d been at war. It’s when the military returns home and the violence and killing stops. You can see this kind of peace in Leviticus 26, Ezekiel 34, and Isaiah 52.
Today's Scripture speaks of another kind of peace. It’s the peace in our relationships. It’s what happens when we rid ourselves of bitterness and anger. It’s even the peace we feel when we forgive (and pray for) our enemies. It’s the result of relinquishing envy and jealousy and moving to a place of harmony and unity with the people around us. This sort of peace brings intimacy in the church, in marriage and with friends (and even strangers and enemies!).
APPLICATION: Reflect on today’s Scriptures and ask God for a spirit of peace toward others.
PRAYER: Jesus, thank You for paying my debt and making peace between me and You. Thank You that I have a place to go with my anxiety and stress. I pray You’d cover our world with grace and bring peace among the nations. And now more than ever, I pray You’d help me offer and make peace with the people around me. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?