EmmDev 2024-10-22 [Stronger Together] God's word of Peace

God's word of Peace

I will listen to what God the Lord will say: He promises peace to His people, His saints -- but let them not return to folly. (Psalms85:8)

The Psalmist resolves to listen to what the Lord will say. He continues to say that those who desire revival or renewal must wait upon God's word.

This imposes the following demands:

1. To respond to his love, the saints who are the objects of his committed love who are committed to love him back.
2. To forsake the follies of the past.
3. To live in fear of God. The consequence is that God in all his glory will come among his people. God loves us without any adjustment of his truth, He also extends his peace to us without compromising his righteousness.

Last week's devotion looked at Matthew 5:9 where Jesus is saying "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God". Things happen to us every day, from minor to major, that could serve as an excuse for vengeance. Each time something hurtful happens, we have a choice to make: Will we be a peacemaker or a revenge seeker? Will we inflame the event with the fire of revenge, or will we smother it with the blanket of peace?
In John 14:27 Jesus is saying "The peace I give is a gift the world cannot give." God will speak peace to his people. Peace is spoken to those who turn from sin. Through sin we went away from God. Since He is peace himself He has justified us through faith. We are a forgiven nation, church and generation. We therefore need to recognise this grace and mercy that God has done for us with the sacrifice of his only begotten son. Even today in this World of sinful people God is still inviting us to come to him so that we can receive that peace He has made free for all of us in this World. We are encouraged to read these words, pray and abide by them in order to receive the Peace of mind and soul we desire.

God said that vengeance is His; He will repay (Romans 12:19). Paul writes that we are to do everything possible to "live peaceably with all people" (Romans 12:18). When we choose to forgive instead of fight, we become peacemakers. If you are faced with the choice of seeking peace or seeking vengeance, choose peace and receive the blessing of God. Thomas Fuller says that "The noblest revenge is to forgive."

We are encouraged to listen to God's word of promise and its conditions.
Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------
I am Reverend Zipilele Wilson Lubambo married with 3 sons, serving at St Michaels and St Marks Congregations in the Presbytery of Highveld of UPCSA.

---