14 day plan

The Desire for Peace

Day 1 of 14

NIV

Micah 4:3-5

3He will judge between many peoples

and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide.

They will beat their swords into plowshares

and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not take up sword against nation,

nor will they train for war anymore.

4Everyone will sit under their own vine

and under their own fig tree,

and no one will make them afraid,

for the Lord Almighty has spoken.

5All the nations may walk

in the name of their gods,

but we will walk in the name of the Lord

our God for ever and ever.

Series Introduction

I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war! Psalm 120:7.  

“The desire for peace is a longing we all share, but as this ancient song reinforces our desires are not always met. No matter how much we may want peace, in a broken world hostility continues to disrupt individuals, families, communities and countries. In the Defence Forces, though we long for peace, we train for war,” says RAAF Chaplain Dan Bigg. In these devotions, originally written for Daily Bible in 2018, Australian Defence Chaplains share some thoughts on peace they’ve gained from the Bible, to encourage us in our walk and work for the Lord.    

 

Reflection: The Concept of Peace 

The image of peace we see here is a rural one which may not appeal if you are not into gardening. Three aspects of peace stand out.

First, peace between us and God. The Judge in v3 is our Lord, and the peace on offer hinges not on our efforts but on his powerful spoken word v4. Our everlasting peace is founded on God’s name and reputation v5.

Second, peace between people. War weapons will be recycled and there will be an end to disputes and oppression and hostilities. As I daily feel the thunder of our Super Hornet fighter aircraft shaking my office, my desire to see them converted into garden rakes increases! One day soon there will be no more training for war and peace will reign.

Third, peace with creation.  Cultivating is a creative and productive endeavour.  This image of fruitful vines and fig trees is a lifting of the curse of thorns and weeds, droughts and earthquakes and destructive wildlife, which is our present reality. Creation will be back in harmony. So this is biblical peace – God’s people in God’s place under God’s loving, powerful protection forever.  What a picture. Come Lord Jesus!   

How can knowing God’s plan for peace everlasting help us handle the times of turmoil we currently face? 

 

*This reflection was written in 2018 by Dan, a chaplain serving at a RAAF Base.  

Prayer:

Father, Thank you so much for the hope of everlasting peace you have revealed to us in your word. In your name and promises we trust and rest. What you have said you will do. Help us to hold fast to your promise of everlasting peace as we live in the turmoil of our present transient life. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

Days

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2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

Micah 4:1-13

The Mountain of the Lord

1In the last days

the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established

as the highest of the mountains;

it will be exalted above the hills,

and peoples will stream to it.

2Many nations will come and say,

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,

to the temple of the God of Jacob.

He will teach us his ways,

so that we may walk in his paths.”

The law will go out from Zion,

the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

3He will judge between many peoples

and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide.

They will beat their swords into plowshares

and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not take up sword against nation,

nor will they train for war anymore.

4Everyone will sit under their own vine

and under their own fig tree,

and no one will make them afraid,

for the Lord Almighty has spoken.

5All the nations may walk

in the name of their gods,

but we will walk in the name of the Lord

our God for ever and ever.

The Lord’s Plan

6“In that day,” declares the Lord,

“I will gather the lame;

I will assemble the exiles

and those I have brought to grief.

7I will make the lame my remnant,

those driven away a strong nation.

The Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion

from that day and forever.

8As for you, watchtower of the flock,

stronghold of Daughter Zion,

the former dominion will be restored to you;

kingship will come to Daughter Jerusalem.”

9Why do you now cry aloud—

have you no king?

Has your ruler perished,

that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor?

10Writhe in agony, Daughter Zion,

like a woman in labor,

for now you must leave the city

to camp in the open field.

You will go to Babylon;

there you will be rescued.

There the Lord will redeem you

out of the hand of your enemies.

11But now many nations

are gathered against you.

They say, “Let her be defiled,

let our eyes gloat over Zion!”

12But they do not know

the thoughts of the Lord;

they do not understand his plan,

that he has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

13“Rise and thresh, Daughter Zion,

for I will give you horns of iron;

I will give you hooves of bronze,

and you will break to pieces many nations.”

You will devote their ill-gotten gains to the Lord,

their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.