pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: peacemaker


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A Just and Loving World

Readings: Psalms 9-12

‭Psalms 12:5 – “But the LORD says, “Because the poor are oppressed… I’m now standing up. I will provide the help they are gasping for.”

Today, as we read Psalms 9-12, there is an overarching sense that evil has its way in the world, taking advantage of the poor, ignoring or thinking God non-existent. Set against this, there is a hope in God and in God’s ability to bring justice to this world.

Psalm 9 begins with praise and worship of God for God’s “wonderful acts” and for God’s just rule from the throne. The psalmist declares that God is a “safe place” for the oppressed. Then there is a shift in verse 13. This makes it feel like verses 1-12 were groundwork, reminding God of who God has been, hoping that this God will return. The psalmist seeks mercy in his or her time of suffering. There is a parallel desire to see the wicked “go straight to the grave.”

Psalms 10-12 speak of a God who seems far away and of a God who needs to come and act justly. As the psalmist(s) look at the world they see evil and wickedness running rampant. The wicked are arrogant and they oppress the poor and helpless. God’s people feel powerless to act in the face of all of this evil. Sprinkled in amongst belief in God’s ability to act are many requests for God to do just that.

As one looks at our world in 2024, it is much as the world was in Psalms 10-12. Evil seems to be winning. God speaks in 12:5, saying, “Because the poor are oppressed… I’m now standing up. I will provide the help they are gasping for.” May it be so in our time too, O God.

Prayer: Lord God, today we cry out for justice and for an end to evil and oppression in our world. Yes, may it be so, but Lord, remind us of our role too. We are to be peacemakers and to be voices for justice. We are to stand beside the oppressed, looking evil in the eye. Empower us, encourage us, God, to be a part of creating a more just and loving world. Amen.


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The Beloved Community

Reading: Matthew 5:1-12

Verses 1-2: “His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.”

Photo credit: Clay Banks

Today we begin in the Beatitudes. These “blessed are” statements start off the longest teaching of Jesus recorded in the scriptures. While each statement certainly has meaning and value yet today, we will focus on the whole. Much of Jesus’ teaching pointed to a bigger picture. That is part of what he is doing with the Beatitudes. As a whole these statements paint a vision for the beloved community, for the church. A kingdom-living community of faith will reflect and live out these ideals.

Much of what Jesus said was counter-cultural and it remains so today. To be a peacemaker or to be humble, to be willing to face persecution, to openly desire God – these marks of the Christian are not the norm in the world. To comfort the mourning, to be pure in heart – these are also not the norms of our world. Yet we, as followers of Christ, are called to stand out from the world and to stand up against much of what the world values and pursues. Living out these ideals we will come to stand alongside those that the world devalues and marginalizes. In humble service we will minister to those close to the heart of God. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, lead me past self and closer to your heart. Open me to the folks and situations that break your heart. Use me to build up your vision for the world. Amen.