Posted on 04/24/2023 4:51:22 AM PDT by metmom
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matt. 5:9).
Christ’s atonement made it possible for man to be at peace with God.
After World War II the United Nations was created to promote world peace. But since its inception in 1945 there has not been a single day of global peace. That's a sad commentary on man's inability to make peace. In fact, someone once quipped that Washington D.C. has so many peace monuments because they build one after every war!
It hasn't always been that way. Prior to the Fall of man peace reigned on the earth because all creation was in perfect harmony with its Creator. But sin interrupted peace by alienating man from God and bringing a curse upon the earth. Man couldn't know true peace because he had no peace in his heart. That's why Jesus came to die.
I once read a story about a couple at a divorce hearing whose conflict couldn't be resolved. They had a four-year-old boy who became distressed and teary-eyed over what was happening. While the couple was arguing, the boy reached for his father's hand and his mother's hand and pulled until he joined them.
In a sense that's what Christ did: He provided the righteousness that allows man and God to join hands. Romans 5:1 says that those who are justified by faith have peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:20 says that God reconciled all things to Himself through the blood of Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
Yet on the surface, the scene at the cross wasn't peaceful at all. Pain, sorrow, humiliation, hatred, mockery, darkness, and death were oppressively pervasive, but through it all Christ was doing what He alone could do: making peace between man and God. He paid the supreme price to give us that precious gift.
In the future, Jesus will return as Prince of Peace to establish a kingdom of peace that will usher us into an eternal age of peace. In the meantime He reigns over the hearts of all who love Him. Let His peace reign in your heart today!
Suggestions for Prayer
Thank God for the peace of heart that comes from knowing Christ.
For Further Study
Read Philippians 4:6-9. What must a person do to know God's peace?
From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
Amen
God great, man not so much. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God.
Thank you for your Peace, Lord Jesus, and your Sacrifice so we may receive your Peace.
Prayer For Peace In A Hurting World
Heavenly Father, as turmoil and terror throughout the globe seems to increase with every passing day, as the world’s hatred of You increases and as man’s animosity towards Your children continues to grow, we long for that promised time of peace on earth that will only come when the Prince of Peace Himself sets up His millennial rule in Jerusalem.
Forgive us Lord, for we have strayed so far from Your righteous laws and have discredited Your perfect statutes and glorious commandments, in a world that is calling evil good and good evil, and there is no health in us.
Help us to continue to demonstrate Your love and grace towards all with whom we come in contact, and look down in pity on all who are lost and blinded by the lies and deceit of the evil one.
Give wisdom and discernment to all Your children as we travel through this hurting world, and may Your peace that passes understanding flood the hearts and minds of all Christians. Equip us all to share the good news of the glorious gospel of grace to all who are searching for a ‘peace’ that only comes from You. In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/prayer/prayer-for-peace-in-a-hurting-world-1405
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