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"Today's Devotion": (08/21/03) Elusive Peace"Today's Devotion" For August 21, 2003Read: Colossians 3:1-17 Psalm 37 ELUSIVE PEACE by Rev. Richard Boeck "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."(Col.3:15) Tuesday night the evening news reports fairly screamed the news, "Baghdad headquarters of the U.N. bombed by suicide bomber." Then, yesterday morning, Wednesday, the two major lead stories in the local paper were, "20 killed, 100's injured at U.N. Baghdad headquarters," and "20 killed, 100's injured" by a suicide bomber in Jerusalem. And, I'm willing to surmise that in both circumstances the persons who carried out the attacks were convinced their actions would get them to "heaven.' The U.N. and U.S. officials are scrambling to beef up security for themselves and the Iraqi people. The Israelis and Palestinians have broken off peace talks. As the days, week, months, and years go by one begins to wonder if there will ever be even a modicum of peace in the Middle East, or for that matter, anywhere on earth. We've got violence in the streets at home, terrorism finding targets around the world, nations committing genocide within their own borders or supporting it, for purely profit motives, in neighboring states, and tribal and civil wars as one faction or another tries to gain an upper hand. Any semblance of peace that might exist anywhere in the world appears both illusory and elusive. There's not doubt that at best peace on the earth is tenuous at best. While peace on earth appears elusive, illusory, and tenuous, God's peace with us through Jesus Christ is none of those things. God's peace with us is both real and permanent. He has removed all the barriers that separate us from Him. He has forgiven us of all our sins by faith in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus, our Savior and Lord. In His Word He reveals the truth of His love and the power of His peace. By His Spirit He keeps us safe in His arms and filled with the joy that only His peace can bring. The Psalmist (Ps.37) rejoices in the midst of a world that is at odds with God's Will, trusting that God will care for him and that the wicked will receive their just desserts. As we see the pain and suffering that goes on this world, much of it in the name of "God," we can take comfort and hope that God is still in charge and His Will will be done. While peace in Iraq, Israel, Palestine, and other places around the world seems elusive at best, God's peace is ours in Jesus Christ and is sure and certain. Today, you and I can be certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God's peace will prevail, no matter how elusive peace on this earth might be. Prayer: Father, I pray that You would be with the victims of the suicide bombings in Iraq and Israel. I pray that you would also be with their families and friends. Bring the light of the Gospel to bear on their lives that they might know true peace and joy in the midst of carnage and death. Touch the lives of those who in ignorance of Your love seek to destroy the lives of others with death and the destruction of property, safety, and security. Open doors of opportunity to share with potential suicide bombers the truth of Your love and the peace that only comes from You, so they might know that such actions are neither pleasing to You, nor will they solve any problems. Father, keep me focused and living in Your peace, and let me be an instrument of it every day of my life. In the strong name of Jesus I pray. Amen. --Pastor Boeck Copyright @2003. All rights reserved.
************************************* Pastor Richard Boeck is writer and publisher of “Today’s Devotion,” a brief, daily devotion that brings the grace and love of God in Jesus Christ to bear on the events of the day and people’s lives. If you wish to receive a free subscription please send an email to:
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