Introductory Thoughts
Though peace may seem illusive, God instructs all believers to pursue after it. True inner peace is not something that one can afford to live without. The Bible says, “seek peace, and pursue it.” Peter reiterates this truth by saying, “seek peace, and ensue it” (1 Peter 3:11). Men should seek after peace; and when found, they should allow nothing to prevent them from fully seizing upon it. The Lord said, “therefore love the truth and peace” (Zechariah 8:19). Several New Testament verses repeat the importance of peace by admonishing the believer to follow after it (Romans 14:19; 2 Timothy 2:22; Hebrews 12:14). God certainly wants us to seek peace (1 Corinthians 7:15) and makes peace attainable. Yet, He demands that we pursue after His peace His way because any other peace is really no peace at all.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): Would you like to experience thunderstorms every day? Some people feel upset and troubled all the time. Psalm 119:165a tells us how to have peace. When you love God's word, you will learn what it says and obediently follow after it. Then you experience peace on the inside.
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(For everyone): Are you seeking peace? Have you found true peace? If so, what are you doing to pursue it? Are you fighting with everything inside to keep it?
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People pursue many things in life. What are you pursuing right now? Is it popularity, wealth, or love? The most important thing you can find is true inner peace.
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to give you strength to seek peace.
- Ask God to help you pursue peace once you have found it.
Song
Like a River Glorious
