Peace is not something that just happens. It is something that we need to seek out and pursue.
Bible Verse
Psalms 34:13-14 (NASB) 13 Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
Peace
To live a life of peace is something we all desire. To find a life of peace, there is a general principle that we must follow. And it sounds so simple, yet can seemingly be so difficult. The first thing we must do is keep our tongue from evil. When I find myself in a difficult situation, it is so easy to spout off some clever remark. How often does that prove useful, NEVER!!! In fact, those comments can be cutting and hurtful. They do nothing except create more distance between the parties. Also, we are to keep our lips from speaking deceit. Nothing damages one’s credibility more with others than those “little white lies”. You know…the ones that are supposed to harm no one. Those little white lies lead to bigger lies. Eventually, people learn that we cannot be trusted.
Application
The general principle by which we must live if we are to find a life of peace is found in verse 14. We are to run from evil and toward good. If we want to find a life of peace, then it is peace that we must pursue. The pursuit of peace requires that I not just turn away from evil, but that I depart from it and run the other direction. It starts by being truthful in the way we communicate with others. Truthfulness is followed quickly by doing good. Not that I am saved by my good works. I am not. But if I want to live a life of peace, I need to do good to others at hom, at work, and in my community. This is not a short sprint. It is a distance run. We must pursue peace like we would run a race. We must focus ahead and run to win!!!
Do you want to live a life of peace?
Are you willing to do your part to create an atmosphere of peace in the places you frequent?
How have these verses moved you to seek a life of peace and to pursue it?
Prayer
Lord, thank You that You provide me with an opportunity to live a peaceful life. Help me to improve my speech and to seek peace and pursue it. Help me follow the example set by Your Son Jesus.
If you want to know more about having a relationship with Jesus, see the resources: How to Know God.
