Heed The Words

Listen and learn to be humble and gentle like Jesus. Let Him bring peace to your heart that you might make peace with others. 

“The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon…Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?” Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said…said David. “I will make an agreement with you…Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, “For some time you have wanted to make David your king. Now do it!…David prepared a feast for him and his men. Then Abner said to David, “Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my Lord the king…David sent Abner away, and he went in peace. Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Look, Abner came to you. Why did you let him go?…Joab took him aside into an inner chamber, as if to speak with him privately. And there, to avenge…Joab stabbed him in the stomach, and he died. Then David said to Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and walk in mourning in front of Abner. All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them.” 2 Samuel 3:1-37

The story seems like something I have a Hollywood movie. Drama after drama caused by division and the desire to get revenge. Anger and accusation leading to more anger and an assassination. We are no stranger to this story Why do we allow ourselves to constantly be caught up in conflict and chaos that it causes? 

David was determined to live at peace and listen to God. When his enemy Abner who had been opposing him comes to make peace, he throws a feast and makes peace. When Abner is betrayed by Joab, he mourns as though losing a close friend. What would happen if we were people who let the Lord our God be judge and jury? What would happen if we let go of the offenses in our lives and loved our enemies? How would the world change? How could our lives change as we live at peace. 

“I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me. Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.” Psalms 120:1-7

God continues to lineup the Scriptures in our studies in a way that is ad pleasing as the strings in a symphony. David sang a song to the Lord of peace. David showed us a different way of dealing with difficulty. When David is in distress, he sought God and listened. He created margin when he was mad that he might not sin. Is that your pattern? Or do you fly off the handle?

David made a decision. He said I am for peace. He has seen the carnage of war and how lives are ruined and wrecked by fighting. He call the source of conflict which so often are lies and deceit. David does not want any part in endless conflict even if other people’s hearts are warring. Do you? Are you a person of peace or war? What do your words and actions say? The question is not whether you will have conflict, but if you have committed your heart to peace or war. 

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, the prayer of the upright pleases him…he loves those who pursue righteousness…the mouth of a fool feeds on folly…the cheerful heart has a continual feast. Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight. The greedy bring ruin to their households, The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil…he hears the prayer of the righteous. Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, good news gives health…Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.” Proverbs 15:1-30

The Lord leaves no doubt about what He wants us to discuss today. Can you see the theme? Do you have ears to hear? Are you picking up what he is putting down? God wants us to live wisely and learn to live peaceful lives. 

Peace does not just happen by accident. You have to make peace and practice patterns of living that create peace. What does wisdom tell us? Peace happens when you watch your words and walk with Jesus.  Peace happens when you do not have large emotional reactions, but remain patient at all times. Peace happens as you pursue righteousness and live your please God. 

Solomon makes it very simple at the end as he speaks the truth. He says fear the Lord and be humble. He is saying that you do not have to take things into your own hands, but live with the understanding that God sees everything. He is the one who will repay each person according to their deeds.  This truth allows us to let go of offense and let God deal with the sin of others.  What advice from Solomon could you put into practice that you might grow and how in becoming a peacemaker? 

“brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom…In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the heart of Egypt, It will be a sign and witness to the Lord Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the Lord because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them. So the Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the Lord. They will worship with sacrifices and grain offerings; they will make vows to the Lord and keep them. In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together.”

Isaiah 19:19-23

Isaiah tells us that there will be a time when people turn and find healing. The source of peace will come from a savior who will rescue and deliver them. The text says that the Lord will make himself known to foreigners not from Israel and they will acknowledge Him. After the Egyptians turn then they will make peace with their neighbor. 

God gives us a vision of what the world could be like if we all turned to Jesus. The goal is that we learn to lay down our weapons and worship rather than war with our neighbors. Every heart and soul was made to worship God.  What would happen if we treated each person we talked to this day as though they are a person made by God to worship God alongside us? Will you ask God to give you eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to love like Jesus? 

“When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come …Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

Matthew 11:2-30 

Isaiah said there will be One who will come to save and deliver us. Even his cousin John did not know whether he was the Messiah. Jesus does not answer him directly. He simply points to the signs of a savior who has the authority of God. Jesus lets us decide if we will have eyes to see. The signs are everywhere that He is the one who can bring healing and hope as we turn to Him. Then He asks if we have ears to hear? Do you? Will you make margin for more of Jesus in your life today?

This is a critical point if we are to be people of peace. Peace doesn’t just happen. You have to make peace. You have to choose how you will live. You have to weigh your words and choose to welcome Him as Lord of your life and let Him lead you. Every one wants a savior but will your surrender to Jesus as Lord? Will we let Him bear our burdens, let Him tether our hearts to His heart, and learn to walk in His ways? 

Stop and look at the way Jesus describes Himself. He says I am gentle and humble. If Jesus is gentle and humble, if He is compassionate and caring, if He is peaceful and lives to please the Father, then should we not as well? You were made for so much more than a life of endless conflict. You were made to be loved by God and bring love to the world. Jesus wants to give you rest and help you live with a sense of wholeness. Are you ready to put an end to the drama in your life? 

Peace will come as you humble yourself to the to the place of the cross. Jesus chose the cross. Consider the humility of choosing the most painful death you could experience that others might live. Wisdom tells us that as we humble ourselves and change our perspective, looking at how we fit into the kingdom of God rather than wanting our own way we will experience the power of Christ. Let God lead you in his ways as you take his yolk upon you and listen to His voice.  Peace into your heart then peace to the world around you.