BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS

Devotion for Wednesday December 21, 2016

Topic: BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS  

Text: Matthew 5 verse 9                         

God is the author of peace and lover of concord. This informs His decision to come down to the earth to die for us. He desires us to live peaceful with one another. This made Jesus to speak peace to His disciples on many occasions. In John 14:27a, He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” He also urged us to speak peace to any home we are entering (Matthew 10:13). In John 20:21, Jesus commissioned His disciples with peace.

From the above, it is pertinent to note that peace is very vital in our daily lives. Jesus asserts that peacemaking is a character found in God and if anyone follows after that, it means such person is a child of God. When Christ came, He made peace with His blood on the cross and reconciled the enemies of God through His death (Ephesians 2:14–18). Our justification grants us peace and makes us peace makers through the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18, 19).

There is a connection between purity of heart and peacemaking. Here in our text is a challenge for us to love peace, and to labour after peace. We are to promote it amongst others; to become, not only peaceable, but peace-makers. How peaceable are you in your office, school, etc or as a boss, parent, and teacher in relation to your subordinates? It is only when we are peaceable (Hebrews 12:14) that we can truly be, peacemakers. Today, I challenge you to go out to that person that offended you or you offended to make peace. This may be your last opportunity. Don’t procrastinate about it.     

Food for Thought: Psalm 34:14

Memory verse: Matthew 5 verse 9

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

KNOWN AS CHILDREN OF GOD

KNOWN AS CHILDREN OF GOD   Thursday July 16, 2015

Text: Matthew 5:9                    Memory verse: v 9

God calls his children to be peacemakers. This involves action, not just passive compliance. Peacemakers actively work for peace, to cause reconciliation, to end bitterness and strife. This peace is not appeasement but dealing with and solving problems to maintain peace. Arrogant, selfish people do not concern themselves with peacemaking. Peacemakers will be called the children of God because they reflect their Father’s character. This also includes our call to the ministry of reconciliation between God and man as expressed by Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:18.

Peacemaking involves taking risk and denying of self. You may be abused in the process. However, it is better to be known as a peacemaker than troublemaker. We should endeavour to make peace with people we offend, who offend us and people who are not at peace with one another. We should not be comfortable seeing people in enmity with one another without making any effort to reconciling them. Let us make peace wherever we find ourselves.

Action: Are there people in our family, neighbourhood, office, etc not at peace? Think of how you can reconcile them and act on it.

Prayer: Grant me the grace I need to be a peacemaker in my neighbourhood.