8.16.11

Psalms 34:14 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

My Thoughts

It is interesting that turning away from evil and doing good is right next to search for peace, and work to maintain it.  Doing what is wrong does not bring about peace.  A good example of this is gossip. Gossip always creates strife. Evil creates strife. This verse doesn't say be peaceful it says work for peace.  Peace takes effort. Effort takes action. The Bible tells us in Matthew 5:9 blessed are the peacemakers.  It is important to God that we go around creating peace.  Adding to chaos is never a good thing yet we do that all the time by listening  to or adding to gossip. Peace is not an easy thing to accomplish it takes effort. It is so important that we are promised a reward for being peacemaker... Matthew 5:9 says that the peacemakers will   be called sons of God. Making peace is important to God! Even when it is easier to add to the chaos we are still expected to do the right thing and make peace.  We are to search for peace...look for peaceful situations. Peace takes work and effort and we need to be willing to make the effort for God and for eachother.