Blessed are the Peacemakers

Daily Devotional – Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:9 (NKJV)

Today I watched an interesting video of a goat separating two turkeys that were fighting. The goat tried getting in between the two birds but the fowls insisted on fighting. The mammal had to use brute force to separate the feuding birds. It is hard being a peacemaker, I told myself.

A Dearth of Mediators

This incident reminded me of my childhood days and the usual fights among kids. Whenever there was a fight, rarely would there be a peacemaker to separate the combatants. Most kids would take sides and cajole the rivals to fight. In the worst-case scenario, we would join in the match to help our warrior.

I see the scenario repeating itself every day in society. Whenever two people are feuding, most of us would rather take sides than mediate between the rivals. Instead of establishing the facts of the conflict, we add fuel to the fire by becoming purveyors and, sometimes, active combatants.

Happy are the Pacifiers

Most of the conflicts we have between in families, workplaces, churches and other spaces could reduce drastically if we became peacemakers. That is what Jesus, the Prince of Peace, envisioned when He proclaimed, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9).

Is there a greater honour than to be called a child of God? In the context of this verse, we only need to become peacemakers to earn the title. How, then do we become appeasers? A few verses will give us vital clues.

First, when we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, we begin to manifest the fruit of the Spirit, part of which is peace (Galatians 5:22-23). Second, we become peacemakers by focusing our minds on God and trusting Him fully (Isaiah 26:3). Third, peace and peacemaking are the results of obeying God’s commandments. (Psalm 119:165).

In essence, to be a peacemaker, you must first experience the peace of God. Then will you be the child of God who ministers peace and reconciliation in your community, workplace and wherever you are. Christ played the role of a peacemaker on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:19) and extended the role to you. Where is God calling you to mediate today?

Prayer
Dear God, show me where I need to play my role as a peacemaker, a child You are proud of.