Seeking Peace

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Scripture: Psalm 34:11–14 (NRSV)
11 Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Which of you desires life,
and covets many days to enjoy good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil,
and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil, and do good;
seek peace, and pursue it.

Meditation:
            Today’s scripture urges us to recover several very important aspects of the Godly life. These traits are essential for those who are committed to being a peacemaker. Making peace in this violent and troubled world cannot expect to come without the peace maker working toward it. Peace never comes accidentally. Today’s psalm gives us some excellent direction if we desire to make peacemaking a priority in our lives.
            First, listening to God’s words about how to live a Godly and peaceful life is essential. How are we supposed to know what makes for peace if we are not willing to listen to the one true God and Peacemaker. The God that created us for peace who put us in the Garden of Eden to live in peace until we blew it can show us how to live in peace with God and with each other.
            Keeping our tongue from speaking evil of our neighbors and our lips from speaking lies seems to be the first steps in the direction of peacemaking. Certainly we cannot expect to be at peace with one another if we lie about one another. These actions violate the commandment to love one another, even our enemies. Violating God’s commands always leads to conflict. Living in the love of God and neighbor always means peace.
            Departing from evil means leaving the people and places that cause one to sin and going to the people and places where one loves God and neighbor. Seeking peace and pursuing it. This must be our life’s goal if we are to truly be a peacemaker. We must quit listening to those voices that vex our souls and cause us to become cynical and crass. For me that has meant giving up the habit of listening to talk radio entirely. Every time I violate this and listen I end up more depressed and frightened about the state of our world. I must seek entertainment options that enhance my personal peace if I am to be a person of shalom to my neighbors.

Prayer:
Help us Lord to become seekers of peace. Help us to listen to what your sacred word and Holy Spirit have to teach us each day. May we live according to your teachings and seek to help others to see the wisdom in doing the same. Grant us the strength to avoid evil and to stop telling lies. Help us to live as lovers of God and our neighbors and lovers of even our enemies. May we seek to bring the shalom of God every place we go. Amen.

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