No doubt we live in a violent world. While my life remains peaceful, only a glance at the news reveals warfare, violent crime and families fighting with fists and knives. Some deep tendency in human nature leads to savage behaviors.

King David lived in a similar world. He wrote of his situation, Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!

David rose to power through violent circumstances. Defeating Goliath on the battlefield launched his career, and he went on to led men in multiple conflicts. Small wonder that many of these same warriors found it difficult to revert to quiet gentility when the fighting stopped. David wrote of a peace that he found difficult to grasp.

Jesus taught blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Like David discovered, peacemakers are hard to find. Let’s pray for those who seek peace, and for the blunting of those who love violence. While peace is elusive, it’s not out of the question. Lord, bless the peacemakers, and bring more of them into our lives and our world.

Psalm 120 & Matthew 5:9

Photo by Aaron Burden