Priceless Peace

 

Isaiah 60:17 (NIV) - Instead of bronze I will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze, and iron in place of stones. I will make peace your governor and well-being your ruler.

The prophet Isaiah describes the glory of Zion.

In examining these words, it is easy to focus on precious metals like gold and silver.

It is equally easy to overlook the qualities of peace and well-being.

Yet peace and well-being are as precious as gold and silver.

In fact, they are even more precious.

This is contrary to the ways of the world.

The world views peace as a sign of weakness.

Those who serve as peacemakers are also looked upon as weak.

But appearances are often deceiving.

Those who act as peacemakers have a tremendous internal strength.

It is a strength not of their own making, but of God.

Paul understood this.

He discusses this in his letter to the Romans.

Romans 14:17 (NIV) - For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

Desires for gold and silver are earthly matters.

Paul states that even eating and drinking are as well.

Peace, on the other hand, is of the kingdom of God.

It is also something we should practice while on earth.

The world practically shouts that peace, kindness and love are weaknesses.

It teaches that these weaknesses are easily exploited.

But God, in His infinite wisdom, assures us that these are strengths.

In fact, Jesus taught the importance of these qualities by example.

We should, therefore, put these into practice daily just as He taught.

Remember His words in the Beatitudes.

Matthew 5:9 (NIV) - Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 18, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, June 25, 2021