Peace is certainly something we can want and pray for in our world. There is much unrest and violence that disrupts the peace of humanity. We can work to settle disputes and discourage violence, but perhaps peace starts closer to home.
Perhaps peace in our world begins with peace in our own lives. We each have places of unrest, and perhaps if we work for peace here, inside our lives, we might be able to know more of God’s peace in the world.
When you are ready, click on “The Word of God” below for today's scripture and then continue to follow the remaining steps of the devotion.
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”
Jeremiah 33:14-16
There have been four shootings in my neighborhood in the past year. As I walk around and work with the young people in the neighborhood, I do not feel afraid or hopeless though. I think that it is because I see the hope and expectation of something different in the faces of my neighbors. They are all yearning for a day when gun violence will cease to be, not only in our neighborhood but in our world.
Some might say this is an unachievable goal, but I disagree. It is unachievable by us alone, but I think God is doing something powerful. I think if I work with God to do it, there will be peace, and people will be saved.
Andrew Kellner
God, sometimes I feel powerless. Help me to remember your promises and to work with you to bring about peace in my home, neighborhood, and world. Amen.
Think peace…
Pray for peace…
Accept God’s peace…
Go and be God’s peace in the world.