Scripture

Our verse for today comes from 2 Samuel 21:3, ” Therefore David said to the Gibeonites, ‘What shall I do for you? And with what shall I make atonement, that you may bless the inheritance of the Lord?’ ” 

Background

I didn’t have dinner with the family last night. I was busy doing some other things as they partook of the meal that my mother-in-law brought over for us. I did, however, make it to the kitchen in time to finish off some of the scraps, and to assess the damage that was left to be cleaned up. I was pleased to see that most of the dishes had been put in the dishwasher, and so all that really remained were a few pots and other miscellaneous items that needed to be washed by hand. And so, that’s where I decided to jump in. I didn’t have much to do with the making of the mess, but with various needs pulling others in various directions, it certainly seemed like the right thing to do. And not only right because I’m a part of the family and need to pull my weight, but right in the sense that I knew it was good and right to lighten others’ loads and to enhance the peace and serenity of our home. Being a peacemaker has as much to do with preventing strife and unrest as it does with putting an end to disagreement and restoring unity. Additionally, the peacemaker needs to be more than proactive concerning his own affairs, but willing and intent to help out where others are struggling. The peace we are called to make should reach much further than our own little worlds.

Application

David had not offended the Gibeonites, but offended they had been, and so he offered to do whatever it took to restore God’s favor on His people. You don’t have to look very far to uncover irritation or discontent. No, the real challenge will be when you uncover it, whether or not you will look within yourself to offer up part of you as a solution. Will you value the peace of others enough to offer to them what you value of your own? Whether it’s time or resources, will you view them as gifts from God to bless others? There’s a need for peace somewhere near you, perhaps closer than you’d like to admit. Is there something that you will commit to do about it? 

Charge

As we seek Him today, be a peacemaker, and be blessed by God to be a blessing to someone else. 

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words