Theme: Blessed Are the Peacemakers
Pursuing peace means making an effort. We cannot maintain peace simply by our own fleshly efforts; we need God’s help, and we need grace, which is His power assisting us and enabling us to do what needs to be done.
The efforts we make must be in Christ. Too often we just try to do what is right without asking for God’s help, and that type of fleshly effort never produces good fruit. The Bible calls this a “work of the flesh.” It is man’s effort trying to do God’s job.
What I am saying is, be sure you lean on God and ask for His help.
When you succeed, give Him the credit, the honor, and the glory because success is impossible without Him.
Jesus said, Apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing (John 15:5). It takes most of us a long time to believe this Scripture enough to stop trying to do things on our own, without leaning on God. We try and fail, try and fail; it happens over and over until we finally wear ourselves out and realize that God Himself is our strength, our success, and our victory. He doesn’t just give us strength—He is our strength. He does not just give us the victory—He is our victory. Yes, we make efforts to keep peace, but we dare not make efforts without depending on God’s power to flow through us; failure is certain if we do.
The Lord blesses peacemakers, those who work for and make peace. Peacemakers are committed to peace—they crave peace, pursue peace, and go after it. They don’t just hope or wish for it, they don’t just pray for it. They aggressively pursue it in the power of God. Make a commitment to pursue peace from this day forward.
Prayer Starter: Lord Jesus, I trust you to make me a peacemaker—one who works for and pursues peace with You, myself, and others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Credit for Joyce Meyer daily devotional today December 16 2021 : joycemeyer.org