Peace

2 Chronicles 15:9-And there was no more war until the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa (AMP).

He ranted about the mayhem and murder he heard on the news.

“I won’t forgive that person,”he cried. “He did a terrible thing! I don’t feel sorry for that murderer.”When I mentioned that the dead child’s parents had publicly forgiven the perpetrator, he sighed and said with a saint-like voice, “Wouldn’t it be lovely if the entire world would do that? But they won’t!! What is wrong with the world?”

What is wrong with the world? We are. We live petty little lives, holding petty little grudges and coveting other people’s stuff. We expect everyone but ourselves to be forgiving.  I once heard that the total amount of complete world peace comes to about thirty-three years.  Thirty-three years. That is the length of time that Jesus spent on earth. Coincidence? I don’t think so. Rather, another visible sign from God that without Jesus, peace does not happen.

Veteran's Day is a time to remember those who served in the military and those who died in war. How many died because one person or another escalated their private hard-heartedness into the lives of others? Peace? May it begin with us.

Prayer: Lord, Jesus didn’t die so that we could continue to fight our private little wars. Give us the courage to speak reconciliation. Amen.