I remember going to school with someone we referred to as a ‘war boat’, namely, someone who often instigates conflict, and doesn’t back away from what ensues. Thankfully, the title didn’t last, but it impacted me to the extent that I determined to never receive that title. I’m trying to do so, but I found that it is sometimes difficult to strike a balance between instigating conflict and speaking up for one’s rights.
Yet, God calls us to peace-making, not war mongering. So we know it is doable. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Psalms 34:14 NIV
[14] Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Pursue Peace
Despite knowing that this is a Davidic psalm, the words in our Nougat often remind me of Jesus. In the Sermon on the Mount, Y’shua implored us to be peace-seekers and peacekeepers rather than war-mongers. He advised us that peace makers carry God’s name, as ‘Children of God’; a name that could be seen as similar to the one that defines us – Christian.
Peace, however, can be somewhat elusive. For we are often provoked by the Accuser of the saints, the devil, and the devil desires to rob us of our peace. Sometimes, it’s about the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Yet Y’shua is clear, when slapped, turn the other cheek. I remember a friend once saying that after slapping that other cheek, run! For retaliation is coming. But that’s not what Christ calls us to in truth.
Self-Check
What is our response when someone slaps us on the cheek, literally or figuratively?
Application
Of course, seeking peace is not only about turning the other cheek. It may also mean diffusing a potentially toxic situation, speaking truth in love, offering grace for offences received, as well as intentionally choosing to do good.
I think of Y’shua Jesus’ response to extreme provocation. His pursuit of peace was literally out of this world. Remember how often He clashed with the religious people of His day? In John 8, for example, when the war-mongers sought Him out, He already recognised the trap. That’s probably our first lesson. To recognise the traps (based on our triggers), set for us by the enemy. They tried to confront Y’shua with truth – but it wasn’t the entire truth.
Rather than argue with war mongers, Y’shua sought to mind God’s business. He ignored them. When they persisted, Y’shua challenged them by choosing truth, with love. He invited the war mongers to do a Self-Check, and in so doing, diffused the potential for war. But He didn’t stop there.
Having avoided evil – by casting judgment and stoning the woman caught in adultery – Jesus chose to do good. He offered grace to one who had been condemned unfairly by the justice system. It wasn’t that she hadn’t done wrong. It wasn’t that the war mongers hadn’t sinned. But, He chose to offer grace.
And that’s what He expects from us: that we sidestep evil, and allow God’s grace to prevail. Even if grace wasn’t requested. Yes, siblings, we are called to extend grace in extenuating cases and unwelcoming spaces.
Point to Ponder
Fearing God demands that we pursue peace. On the whole are we prone to war mongering or to peace making? Selah
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May all we seek be found in Christ
