I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war. (Psalms 120:7)
In today’s psalm, we see the psalmist desiring peace amongst living with others. He would do anything to have peace around him. He would make any sacrifices and consent to any arrangements in hopes of bringing about peace. Yet, every time that the psalmist tried to promote peace or make suggestions on how to make changes in our lives to bring about peace, everyone around him would shoot down his idea. People were filled with strife and became hostile to the psalmist. Getting this same, repeated reaction to our efforts to bring about peace can be frustrating and demoralizing.
So what are we to do when we try to promote peace yet others around us oppose our ideas of change? Let’s look to the example of Jesus Christ. Jesus was a man of peace. He came into our world. He was worshipped at his birth as the Prince of Peace. There was universal peace throughout the world at the time of his birth. Jesus lived to make peace by the “blood of his cross” and he died to complete it. Let us look to Jesus and strive to bring about peace to those around us. Let’s share the Good News of Christ, His life, death, and resurrection which gives us life and peace. May we also choose each day to follow the words of Romans 12:18, “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”