While many are seeking a cure for the rampaging violence in our cultures that is destroying lives, threatening schools, destroying nations, and making our streets unsafe, why has no one bothered to remind us what God's wise servant taught us centuries ago? Let's not let any person, real or fictional, be our hero if their fame is built on violence. "Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways..." I can hear some of you saying, "Wow, Phil, that's not a popular position based on what we see on TV and in the movies!" Please realize this is not me saying it, but one of God's inspired writers. "Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways..." The son of Israel's most famous warrior understood the dangers of violence in any form. Indeed, the Son of the Most Powerful on High said it best: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
My Prayer...
Almighty God, save us from the violence of our culture. Save us from the violence of the wicked. Save us from the worship of violent power that permeates our world. Please, dear Father, give us heroes who are strong, noble, and are true peacemakers. In addition, dear Father, please give us eyes to see them and the courage to honor them. In Jesus' name, I pray for your peace in our world. Amen.
"Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same..."
"Prayer is the forerunner of mercy. Turn to sacred history, and you will find that scarcely ever did a great mercy come to this world unheralded by..."
Comments
Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment