A Year of Prayer: Season One Weekday DevotionalsUzorak

If you’ve ever seen a movie about a plane or boat in trouble and the crew trying to calm the crowd, you know the hand movements. You know the tone of voice. The stress of the eyes pulled tight, darting around and looking for exits, safety, loose luggage, and even looser customers.

These are people on a collision course with disaster, doing everything they can to keep the peace so the situation doesn’t get even worse before it has to.

They cry out ‘Peace, peace’, when there is no peace.

Maybe you’ve seen the other side of the coin - people in denial. Whether their health is in worse condition than they thought, their bills are piling up, or their partner isn’t as ‘nice’ as they’d like you to believe - there are telltale signs that someone doesn’t have the confidence to face reality.

They are crying out ‘Peace, peace’, when there is no peace.

Jesus’ people are called to have a sober view of reality—the reality of sin, pain, death, and the world. But that view is coupled with a deep knowledge and trust in God’s goodness and redemption. God’s plans are good, as God is good.

When we are under pressure, we must press in for understanding—we don’t ignore the bad things, pretending they are better than they are to keep the peace or not alarm the children. No, instead, we are to seek God’s word for this current day and season so we might know and deliver true peace to all who would believe.

Prayer: Jesus, open the hearts and eyes of the followers of your Way. Teach me how to disciple faithfully so that all may come to know you. Spread your fame throughout the country.

Action: Sit in silence this evening and listen for God’s voice.