Summer Fruit Devotion: Peace Day 3

For Your Feet

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Romans 14:19

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:14-15

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.” 2 Timothy 2:22-23

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:11-14

“let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.”
1 Peter 3:11 (Peter quoting Psalm 34:14)

Peace is not passive but active. Notice all the verbs applied to peace in these verses; pursue, put on, strive, seek. Ephesians says peace is actually part of our “spiritual armor.” It is the preparation of the gospel of peace, and where does it go? Like steel-toed boots, on our feet. Why? So that it protects our feet and goes everywhere we go! The gospel gives us peace with God, peace in our souls, so that we can pursue and seek and strive for peace wherever and with whomever the Lord calls us to in life.

Journal time. Make a list of everywhere you go in a typical day and the people you might see there. Where can you bring gospel peace? Where do you need to pursue peace? What relationships have become quarrelsome and what can you do to strive for peace with them?

Pray with me today. Heavenly Father, this call to pursue peace sounds like a lot of work. Thank you that we have Christ, the Prince of Peace as our example and the gospel as our Spirit-toed workboots when you send us out. Help us to turn away from quarrels, to flee youthful lust, to turn away from evil and to learn from your discipline in our lives so that your peace becomes the path we walk in and the footprints we leave for others to follow. In the peaceful name of Jesus we pray, Amen.