Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 120:1-7
Ps 120:1-7
1 I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me. 2 Save me, O LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. 3 What will he do to you, and what more besides, O deceitful tongue? 4 He will punish you with a warrior's sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom tree. 5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar! 6 Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. 7 I am a man of peace; but when I speak, they are for war.
Rom 15:5-8
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
When we think of David, we think of one of the greatest warriors who ever lived, one who began with killing the giant. He defeated or subdued every nation in the area of his world in his time. Most nations were paying tribute to him. He was not allowed by God to build the temple because he was a man of blood.
Yet, he thinks of himself as a man of peace. He was a warrior because this is what God called him to be. He was a man of peace because he was a man after the heart of God. His nature was to be at peace with others. In fact, only in the case of Nabal do we find David taking vengeance for himself against another. He was not a violent person and even in this case, he was persuaded by Abigail to not harm Nabal or avenge himself against him. David longed to be at peace with others.
As the children of God we are told to be at peace with everyone, as much as it depends on us. In other words we are to instigate harmony and not be one who stirs up trouble. In defining the man who serves as an elder over the church, Paul says it is to be one who loves peace and not one who seeks trouble or strife.
This is because God has made all of his people one family and one nation in Jesus Christ. When we accept his gospel call and have our sins forgiven, we are at peace with God and therefore we are united with all those who have also been forgiven in Christ. We are to make every effort to maintain this unity in the bond of peace.
Heavenly Father it is so wonderful to be at peace with you, with myself and with others around me. In the midst of a world that is filled with turmoil, peace is such a rare thing but in Jesus you give peace. Thank you for taking all my burdens from me and allowing me to focus on doing good and serving you. Open my eyes to see the opportunities to help others that are all around me and keep me from being selfish with what you have given me. Give your peace to those who are hurting and who are filled with grief and loss. I pray in the name of Jesus my Lord.
Robert
