Thursday, March 2, 2017

Devotion 3.3.17

Conflict - Psalm 4

What year was this written in?

"The world is in conflict.  We see sides dramatically drawn.  Anger and hatred are being expressed against fellow citizens, against the government, and people are protesting loudly and want an end to the violence."  Would you say 1863?  Would you say 1968?  Would you say today?  Or would you answer: D - All of the above?

You would be correct if you said all of those - the Civil War, the civil unrest of the 1960s and the Vietnam War, and the civil unrest of today.  This, by the way, is just in our own country, but this applies to the world.  Why does conflict seem to be ever-present in our lives?  To those who approach a worldly view, it is because of those in power and the path they have chosen to solve problems of the day.  Consequently, we speak out and seek to gain power to let our solutions take root. 

To those who walk in the light (1 John 1), we know conflict will exist, which doesn't mean we accept it or choose to just allow it to happen and withdraw.  What it does mean is that we know sin exists and corrupts the flesh.  What it does mean is that we turn to God first and foremost as our true source of peace from the sin of this world. 

"There are many who say, 'Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!' You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.  In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:6-7) 

David acknowledges the world may give us temporary joy (grain and wine abound), but only in Christ will we lie down and sleep.  We pray that we do turn to Christ and ask for that peace that surpasses all understanding.  Christ is our true source of peace in times of conflict.

Hope Men's Ministry

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