BE A PEACEMAKER | Daily Bread | 9-13-24

00:00 - Intro
00:48 - Bible Passage
04:01 - Daily Bread Devotional
05:57 - Prayer

2 Samuel 3:22-39, KV 38,39
“Then the king said to his men, `Do you not realize that a commander and a great man has fallen in Israel this day? And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me. May the LORD repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!’”

Daily Bread
1) Resist the urge for revenge.
Joab’s decision to kill Abner was driven by personal revenge rather than what was best for Israel. It shows how destructive holding grudges can be. Joab’s uncontrolled anger ruined the unity and peace David was trying to build. As believers, we're called to resist the temptation to take revenge and instead trust God's judgment. When you feel wronged by someone, whether it's a friend, co-worker, or family member, don’t retaliate. Instead, look for constructive ways to solve the problem, like talking it out or involving a mediator, and pray for the strength to forgive. Remember Colossians 3:13: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

2) Do what’s best for everyone, not just what’s best for me.
David’s public mourning for Abner shows how he put Israel's unity before his own feelings about Abner. His actions helped keep the peace and showed he cared about the nation’s well-being. We need to have the same mindset within a church community. When conflicts arise, we should protect the church’s unity by focusing on the greater good. This might mean setting aside personal disagreements so ministry projects can run smoothly and succeed. It could also mean letting go of bitterness and anger, so others aren’t affected by those feelings. Act in ways that help create a supportive and united church environment.

Prayer: Lord, grant me the strength to let go of grudges and seek peace. Guide me to act in ways that serve Your purposes and contribute to the well-being of my community.

One Word: Seek peace for the greater good!



Music:
Theme: Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm. Learn how to start a podcast here.
Intro: Inspirational Acoustic - Organic Harmony by Sonican
Outro: My Love Medium by Grand_Project