ST. MATTHEW 5:1-2, 9

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2007

THE BEATITUDES - PART 7

1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. St. Matthew 5:1-2, 9 (NKJV)

Media headlines often carry thoughts of hope when Peace Talks are scheduled among nations hostile with one another. There are so many taking place that a scorecard would be helpful to keep track of them. Most of the time peace is not achieved. Occasionally a temporary agreement is reached only to have it broken in a short time. Most of the time there are no positive results. Why is this? Is it because man’s concept of peace and God’s concept are different? When man offers peace, there is always something required. When God offers peace, nothing is required. Two short lines from Scripture say so much about God’s Peace: "The peace that passes all human understanding" and "My Peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth do I give it unto you."

The peacemakers who are blessed are those who actively work to help others know and receive the peace that God offers with no strings attached. When we accept this free offer of peace and live in it, we have no fear. Yes, things may go wrong. Yes, we may even be persecuted for our faith. There is an even bigger and better YES. Yes, we will not be alone for the God who offers us peace has said, "Lo, I am with you always" and "I will never give you a burden too hard for you to bear."

God, our Loving Father in Heaven, not only gives us His Peace but He also will help us to overcome whatever may confront us. The real Blessing of being a peacemaker is that we are then truly Children of God.

WE PRAY: LORD, let me be an instrument of Thy Peace. AMEN.

SUGGESTIONS FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION

Instead of closing the letters I write with the word "Sincerely," I use the phrase "God’s Peace."  I also use this phrase as one of the two phrases that conclude each of the THOUGHTS that appear on my RAMBLING THOUGHTS page.

Send as many real messages to others equal to those items you receive and forward.
Locate an e-mail or regular mail address of someone in a nation in conflict. Let that person know of God’s Peace, what it means to you, and how they can also receive it.