Heaven Knocking on Our Door- DAY 15- January 24, 2020

Day Fifteen

Peacemaker

Scripture:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”  Matthew 5:9 NIV

Thought:

We live in a world that longs for peace. There are many peace-seekers and peace-lovers, but few peacemakers. Maybe we are going about it wrong? Instead of seeking peace for ourselves, which is a common pursuit, maybe we need to be seeking it for others instead? Maybe we need to find our peace, not by circumstances or what other people give us, but rather what Christ gives us and what can, in turn, flow through us to others? This is when we become the peacemakers Jesus spoke of. This is where we are blessed exceedingly, for as God’s sons and daughters we have the benefit of pleasing Him and fulfilling our purpose, along with finding His peace. His peace is not as the world gives, but as only He can give.

Application:

I’ve had a couple experiences with being a peacemaker, both years ago as a teenager and again only a few years ago. In both instances I interceded when a fight was about to break out by saying, “Stop! Please stop and go back to your car!  Nothing good can come from this. Please leave and go your separate ways.” In both instances the combatants dropped their hands, turned around and left each other. Peace was restored and I felt God’s pleasure that a good thing had been done.

I’ve thought of those events often when I see the current conflicts around me in my immediate world and the world around me. It was with playing my part as a peacemaker that I discovered that both combatants were looking for a way to end it without fighting each other. They just needed someone to take the lead and give them a way out to restore peace. I think this might be the case with other situations that can be defused in politics, arguments over religion and many other conflicts. But to be this kind of peacemaker we have to leave our own peace-seeking comfort to engage these conflicts. We, in ways, must forfeit our own peace for a moment, to be our Father’s peacemakers as His sons and daughters.  But He will not allow His peace in us to be disturbed for long. On the contrary we will feel it even more so, for we please Him when we are peacemakers.

Response:

“Father, You have shown me that being a peacemaker plays a noble part in my purpose as Your son, and as well all your sons and daughters. I realize that sowing peace reaps great benefits for many people around me. In this present dangerous and angry climate that is developing around mankind someone has to lead out as peacemakers. Our political leaders are not these peacemakers, nor are there world leaders becoming a voice of reason and peace. In fact, they may very well be the source of much of this world’s contention that stirs people into angry combatants. Lord, this role has been given to Your Church to be peacemakers. As Your sons and daughters, we must stir the Church to be leaders in peacemaking in this world. Jesus, stir me and make me a peacemaker. I want to play a noble role in Your outreach to a troubled and confused world. Let Your peace begin in me and touch those around me who are so desperate for the peace You’ve given me. I ask this in Jesus name.

Your Child