Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:9, Isaiah 32:17-18, 1 Samuel 24:1-22, Ephesians 2:14-20, 1 Peter 3:10-12, Romans 14:16-19
A few decades ago, when I was in the fifth grade, I landed my first (unpaid) job as an official conflict mediator at my school. The mediators were a group of older kids tasked with helping classmates work through small disagreements and conflicts. (You stole my pencil! He was mean to me, etc.) And y’all—I took that role more seriously than I’ve probably taken any job since.
I walked the halls of our school, on the lookout for the next disagreement where I might help bring understanding and peace. I only remember about three situations where we actually got to mediate, but they were exhilarating. I felt an overwhelming sense of joy helping other kids discover common ground.
When you’re a child, the concept of peace feels so much easier to grasp. It seems more attainable. Peace was simpler to find—and easier to keep. But somewhere along the way, many of us have grown quieter, slower, and less intentional about the pursuit of peace.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
—Matthew 5:9
When we see neighbors struggling, when tension rises within our families, when disagreements fracture the body of Christ…do we step in boldly and compassionately?
I love the story in 1 Samuel 24 because it offers us one of the clearest pictures of the peacemaking God calls us to. After living on the run for so long, David was given the perfect opportunity to end his conflict with King Saul. One strike could have secured David’s throne. Yet he refused. He sensed the Spirit’s restraint, remembered who Saul was in God’s eyes, and chose peace over pride (1Samuel 24:6–7). David, a man after God’s own heart, didn’t gain the kingdom through force. He gained it through surrender, humility, and obedience to God’s way of peace.
That same calling rests on us. Something deep in our hearts longs for peace—in our homes, our relationships, and our communities—yet so few of us actively pursue it. It often feels more comfortable to cling to our preconceptions, our opinions, and our preferences than to seek peace and extend the love of Jesus to those we disagree with. But Scripture tells us that Jesus Himself has already “put the hostility to death” through the cross (Ephesians 2:16). If our Savior destroyed division, why do we continue to cling to it?
Why do we search for peace in careers, accomplishments, or even on our cell phones—only to come up empty?
If we want the life Christ died to give us, God’s Word is clear: “Seek peace and pursue it” (1Peter 3:11). Peace isn’t passive. It’s a path we walk and a posture we choose with Jesus every single day.
Lord, help us to truly pursue Your peace today—boldly, humbly, and with open hands. Make us peacemakers who look like You everywhere we go. Amen.
Written by Abby Flynn
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15 thoughts on "Blessed Are the Peacemakers"
Amen
Blessed are the peacemakers.
I’m blessed when I pursue peace, when I walk in peace. When I think peace.
I have a tendency to work at peacemaking, another aspect of my questioning that I mentioned the other day, how important are the things causing conflict and do they really matter. Surely I’m not the only one longing for peace – in my home, my immediate and extended family, my town, my state, my country, the world. The tension between some of the people in my family circle is painful. Talking with them gets me nowhere and I continue to pray the Lord will move in the hearts of these family members, all Christians.
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CAROLINE ❤️ congrats! Praying for good health for you and baby!
MARINA S hopeful the interview went well, praying for the Lord’s guidance in finding the right job.
TRICIA C “sometimes I don’t want …” yes, and aren’t those just the hardest times.
REBECCA W praying for your hurting heart, sister, and for Brett. That he will turn to the Lord, overcome the alcoholism and find the right job that is a good fit for him.
KIM H – praying for your mom’s healing and for day care solutions for your son! Stuck on her having a stroke and not saying anything for a couple of day … sounds like something my mom would do, downplaying the seriousness. Praying for you as you figure out things.
KIMBERLY ❤️
CEE GEE ❤️
SANDI MCAVINEY ❤️
A WALTON praying the building goes smoothly!
Heavenly Father,
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Thank You for calling me to be a peacemaker (Matthew 5:9).
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Jesus, You are my peace (Ephesians 2:14), so shape my heart today.
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Help me to seek peace and pursue it (1 Peter 3:11), and to choose what builds others up (Romans 14:19).
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Guard my words and actions at work, with family, and in my community.When I’m tempted to react, give me the restraint and trust You showed through David (1 Samuel 24:12).
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Let my life reflect the peace that comes from walking in Your ways (Isaiah 32:17).
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Use me to bring unity and grace wherever I go.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Is anyone else reading The Bible Recap plan? Yesterday was the reading on David and Saul. Today’s TBR included Psalm 7 reminded me of the Beatitudes
Yes!
Thank you, Lord for this reminder today ❤️
Amen❤️
“If our Savior destroyed division, why do we continue to cling to it?”
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In a word, pride.
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I hold on to my “rights” with clenched fists instead of humbly opening my hands in humility in order to be a peacemaker, trusting God will bring the “justice” I seek.
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KIMBERLY Z – praying for your friend. A pregnancy resource center (like CareNet) can offer great help with an unplanned pregnancy. Also finding a local Embrace Grace support group would be a huge help in navigating the pregnancy.
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KIM H – praying for wisdom and healing for your mom.
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MARINA S. – agreeing with you in prayer for a new job for your husband to come quickly
Ooh yes Kelly, holding to my rights, that sounds like a familiar phrase in my mind.
Needed this reminder today that “Peace isn’t passive, it’s a path we walk, and a posture we choose with Jesus every day”
Good morning!
I just wanted to let you know, they have begun to pour our retaining walls for our house. House foundation is coming later… it has already been delayed (they don’t have enough employees for all the work and weather has been terrible, holding up a lot).
Anyway, happy work is being done, even though it is slow.
I feel I seek peace all of the time for my children. They fight a lot. I pray and think of different ways for them to reconcile. I try to model being gentle and patient. It is difficult. Thanks for prayers. There are 5 of them (children).
So happy to see your update! Continuing to pray for progress on the house. Praying you can model peacemaking for your children.
Not sure how old your kids are. When arguments perused with my kids I used to make them sit down right there, hold hands (key) and not talk. It gave them a minute to calm down. If they let go or spoke they’d have to sit longer like that. Then I’d walk away (after a few times doing this) and tell them they could talk (no shouting and still holding hands) about what happened or just sit there. Almost always they would end up in laughter and playing again.
Thanks for the update on your house, I was just praying for you the other day & wondered if it had begun.
Prayers for you as you “referee” your children as they grow more and more into their own person.