What Jesus Did! 'Waging Peace' — Matthew 5:9

Thursday, February 13, 2025

[Jesus continued:]
"God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God."
— Matthew 5:9 NLT

Key Thought

"Wage Peace." That's a fairly popular bumper sticker around our neck of the woods. At first, it may sound similar to the old Hippie song, "All we are saying is give peace a chance." However, deep in our hearts, we know there is a tremendous difference between being a peace-lover and a peacemaker. Peace-lovers like the calm and security and illusion of "giving peace a chance." But peace has no chance unless it is waged! Peace is not a state that results because of a lack of wars; peace is the result of work, character, and sacrifice of those who are peacemakers. They wage peace. They take risks, they forgive wrongs, and they compromise on their personal demands without sacrificing their personal integrity. They are willing to pay the price to make and preserve the peace with integrity. No wonder God calls such people his children; they're doing what is like him!

Today's Prayer

Loving and merciful God, thank you for providing the sacrifice which brought me peace with you. Forgive me when I have loved peacefulness more than I have loved waging peace. Please give me the integrity, character and fortitude to do today and each day what brings peace in my work place, my home, and my heart. Through the blessed name of Jesus, who purchased my peace, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

16 Related Resources by Heartlight

Matthew 5:9
Devo: Daily Wisdom
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."
Spurgeon PM Devo for Mar. 17th
Devo: Morning & Evening
"This is the seventh of the beatitudes: and seven was the number of perfection among the Hebrews. It may be that the Saviour placed the peacemaker the...."
Fighting Terror
Article by David Capes
Will technology be the difference? David Capes uses The Voice translation to drive home the point that technology is not going to save us from ourselves, but only gracious trust that Jesus is Lord and our following Jesus into the world of forgiveness.
Our Need to Remember
Article by Phil Ware
Hopefully remembering the horrors can help us prevent them. Phil Ware uses Memorial Day to think about the cost of war and the ultimate sacrifice of a friend named Roy who lived through World War II, the assault on Normandy Beach and the Battle of the Bulge.
See All 16 Related Resources about Matthew 5:9

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 5:9 NLT — [Jesus continued:] "God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, February 13, 2025

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Fear God with Reverence and Praise' (Re. 14:7)
"He said with a loud voice, "Fear God [with awe and reverence], and give Him glory [and honor and praise in worship], because the hour of His judgment...."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Living Beyond Our Fears' (2 Ti. 1:6-7)
"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us....."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Lift High Your Praises' (Ps. 107:32)
"Lift high your praises when the people assemble, shout Hallelujah when the elders meet!"
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Thomas Merton:
"It is in the ordinary duties and labors of life that the Christian can and should develop his spiritual union with God."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!