What Jesus Did! 'Waging Peace' — Matthew 5:9

Saturday, February 13, 2021

[Jesus continued:]
"God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God."
— Matthew 5:9 NLT

Key Thought

"Wage Peace." That's a fairly popular bumper sticker around our neck of the woods. At first, it may sound similar to the old Hippie song, "All we are saying is give peace a chance." However, deep in our hearts, we know there is a tremendous difference between being a peace-lover and a peacemaker. Peace-lovers like the calm and security and illusion of "giving peace a chance." But peace has no chance unless it is waged! Peace is not a state that results because of a lack of wars; peace is the result of work, character, and sacrifice of those who are peacemakers. They wage peace. They take risks, they forgive wrongs, and they compromise on their personal demands without sacrificing their personal integrity. They are willing to pay the price to make and preserve the peace with integrity. No wonder God calls such people his children; they're doing what is like him!

Today's Prayer

Loving and merciful God, thank you for providing the sacrifice which brought me peace with you. Forgive me when I have loved peacefulness more than I have loved waging peace. Please give me the integrity, character and fortitude to do today and each day what brings peace in my work place, my home, and my heart. Through the blessed name of Jesus, who purchased my peace, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Micah 5:4-5
  • Hebrews 12:14
  • Isaiah 54:10

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, February 13, 2021

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 16:3
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Worship that Refuses to Be Limited by Low Expectations'
"Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o'clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
1 John 4:20
"If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not...."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Taught by God to Love' (1 Th. 4:8-9)
"Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by [Paul's instructions] is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. But we....."

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 5:9 NLT — [Jesus continued:] "God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!