Scripture_Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Greetings: I pray that you are blessed and rejoicing. On this pathway to happiness in the Lord,we encounter trials of life, but the Lord says that we are blessed when we choose the path of peace. We will be called children of God, bearing image, his name, and possessing his heart.
Meditation: In the beginning of the Bible, Genesis 1:1, God created the heaven and the earth.
v2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
v3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
As children of God, we are to seek peace and pursue it. Wit the word of God on our lips and the Spirit of God living within us, we have the ability to speak peace. We have the ability to pray, "Lord let your kingdom come, and let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
In Mark 4:35, the Lord told his disciples, "Let us pass over unto the other side." The word us brings me comfort because I know that Jesus is with me, albeit in the process of crossing over, the scriptures tell us that a great storm of wind--not a little one--but a great storm arose. The ship in which Jesus and his disciples sailed was beaten and battered by the waves until it became full of water. Jesus said, "let us..." but he was in the back sleeping.
In circumstances that seem as insurmountable as the waves on the raging sea, we might be tempted to cry as the disciples. They said, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" Shall I rephrase, "Lord, don't you see this water in the ship, we are going down, and you are just sleeping?" Jesus arose, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace Be Still." I love Him. He just spoke a word of Peace. The wind ceased and there was a great calm.
In the midst of my battle, the winds of adversity are on every side. As I desire to be a voice of reason, apart from the Holy Spirit, I know I will be swayed, tossed and sinking deep into the midst of confusion. But I hear a still small voice say, Come Away. When I spend time with the Lord in His presence, He speaks peace to the raging arguments and strong opinions attempting to permeate my spirit.
Jesus is the ultimate peacemaker, yet He says to us, blessed are you peacemakers, for you shall be called children of God. We do not learn how to be peaceful on the white sandy beach with the sun shinning upon our face, as wonderful as that would be, but we learn when we are cast into the sea of impossibility and utter chaos remembering the words of the Lord, Peace Be Still. We too withdraw to the secret place and tell the Father all about it, have a Selah moment, and withdraw strength resting upon His promises. Jesus says to us in John 14:27...
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Isaiah 26:3 says that God will keep us in perfect peace if we keep our minds stayed on Him. Then the Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:6-7...
v6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
v7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me that you have called me to be a peacemaker. Thank you for your perfect peace and keeping me in perfect peace when I keep my mind stayed on you. Through it all...please remind me of your promises that you will perfect everything that concerns me today. When the winds and waves of life seem like they overflow the banks of my understanding, help me remember that you alone are always on the throne. There is no storm you cannot still, no wave you do not control before it flows my way. Help me to rouse you with a song, with faith, and trust. May others see your peace ruling my heart and inquire of the hope inside. Jesus, you are the hope of all glory.
Eternally yours,
Amen.
