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Fruit of the Spirit, Peace - Weekly Devotional
This week's focus: Peace
One of the greatest human desires is for peace: peace between nations, peace between neighbors, and peace within our own minds. Yet our experience confirms the biblical assessment: “The way of peace they have not known” (Isaiah 59:7-8). Sadly, the Band-Aids humanity has tried—treaties, social programs, talks around tables—can not treat the gushing wounds of a world ravaged by conflict and contention. There is a reason that most people in the world cannot even begin to understand the peace offered by God: They have been blinded and deceived (2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:9). This is even true in the religious realm (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
The Christ-follower has a peace that is abundant, available in every situation, and unlike anything that the world has to offer (John 14:27). The alternative is to be filled with alarm, filled with doubt, filled with foreboding, or filled with dread.
We are to submit our will to God’s leading and our actions to God’s Word, but the actual results are up to Him. Only God can create peace through the work of the Holy Spirit.
There will be true peace in the world one day when Christ returns to earth and sets up God’s Kingdom. Until then, we can trust in God, the solid rock (Psalm 18:2), by knowing Him and growing in the fruit of the Spirit of peace.
John 16:33 (ESV)
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Prayer Points:
- Lord, when conflict comes, help me strive to make peace instead of adding fuel to the fire. May I truly become a peacemaker, knowing and demonstrating the difference between God’s peace and the world’s peace.
- There are rising tensions happening all over the world right now, including in Russia, Iran, and China. Lord, in these complex situations we pray Your Holy Spirit would move in ways deeper than we can imagine and beyond our own understanding. Isaiah 45 points us to the power of God to use the least likely and to stir world events in the most surprising ways. Almighty God, give clear answers to our nation’s leaders for the problems they are facing. And give all of us humility as citizens to trust that You are working and in control. Save us from fear, and open our nation’s leaders and citizens to trust, seek and be open to your Holy Spirit in all the affairs of this world.
We want to see God honored in America, and we pray for an unprecedented spiritual awakening.
This devotion was produced in partnership with Every Home for Christ.
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