Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.
Proverbs 29:8 (NIV)
Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger.
Proverbs 29:8 (MSG)
A gang of cynics can upset a whole city; a group of sages can calm everyone down.
**********************************************************
“Scoffers set a city afire [by stirring up trouble], but wise men turn away anger [and restore order with their good judgment].” -AMPLIFIED
“When quarrels happen we should be willing to be friends again upon any terms; peace and love are such valuable jewels that we can scarcely buy them too dearly. Better sit down losers than go on in strife.” ~Matthew Henry
The peacemaker, or maker of peace, is the person who brings about peace when things could actually get very explosive. The peacemaker is the mediator between parties who are at odds with one another and about to get angry. The terms go-between, arbitrator, diplomat or even minister are synonyms for a peacemaker.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, and one sure way of peacemaking is to let the fire of contention alone. Neither fan it, nor stir it, nor add fuel to it, but let it go out by itself. Begin your ministry with one blind eye and one deaf ear.” ~Charles Spurgeon
“Mockers stir up a city and inflame passions, but the wise know how to put out the fire and ease tensions.” -(VOICE)
Once again we find Solomon calling our attention to the mocker; otherwise known as the fool, scoffer or cynic. He points out that wherever this type of person is they are stirring up trouble, upsetting people or setting the city on fire.
However, Solomon tells us that where the wise are there tends to be peace. The wise person stomps out the fires that were started by the fool. He strives to bring calmness and peace. His goal is to keep the peace.
“Fools start fights everywhere while wise men try to keep peace.” -(TLB)
It was Jesus who taught His followers that those who were peacemakers were blessed. During His Sermon on the Mount we find Him sharing a long list of “Blessed is the” quotes; blessed meaning happy. The one who are focusing on is this:
“Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God.” -Matthew 5:9 (AMP)
“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.” -Matthew 5:9 (MSG)
“Now peacemaking is a divine work. For peace means reconciliation, and God is the author of peace and of reconciliation. … It is hardly surprising, therefore, that the particular blessing which attaches to peacemakers is that “they shall be called sons of God.” For they are seeking to do what their Father has done, loving people with his love.” ~John R. W. Stott
Notice the positive terminology associated with the peacemaker. The peacemaker is trusted, reliable, dependable, a person of integrity, upright and honorable; just to name a few characteristics. The peacemaker teaches others to cooperate and compromise, to listen, and to respectfully communicate with one another.
James, the brother of Jesus, wrote about the wisdom in being a peacemaker. He tells us this:
“Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.” -James 3:17-18 (MSG)
Let what James has directed us to do sink in:
“And the seed whose fruit is righteousness (spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace [by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals].” -(AMP)
The wise person’s life is not only holy, but “is characterized by getting along with others” and “by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals”. WOW! That directive sounds very similar to the command that Paul gave to the Romans:
“Do not retaliate with evil, regardless of the evil brought against you. Try to do what is good and right and honorable as agreed upon by all people. If it is within your power, make peace with all people. Again, my loved ones, do not seek revenge; instead, allow God’s wrath to make sure justice is served. Turn it over to Him. For the Scriptures say, “Revenge is Mine. I will settle all scores.” -Romans 12:17-19 (VOICE)
“Being a peacemaker is part of being surrendered to God, for God brings peace. We abandon the effort to get our needs met through the destruction of enemies. God comes to us in Christ to make peace with us; and we participate in God’s grace as we go to our enemies to make peace.”
~Glen H. Stassen and David P. Gushee, Kingdom Ethics
My friend, let us stop demanding that we get our own way, the way of the wicked, and instead, let us bring peace to those around us, the way of the wise. Remember, blessed and happy is the maker of peace. Do you want to be happy? Then be a peacemaker. Sow the seeds of peace and let God handle the rest.
“The followers of Jesus have been called to peace. When he called them they found their peace, for he is their peace. But now they are told that they must not only have peace but make it.” ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
My Prayer:
Yahweh Shalom, God of Peace, you are the Ultimate Peacemaker. You brought the possibility of reconciliation between mankind and You. You sent your Son, Jesus, to be the Go-Between, in order that I may be made in right-standing with you. Thank you, Lord. May I too be a peacemaker; following the example and standard that you have set for me. Work in my heart, Lord. Help me to listen to Your guidance in bringing peace to those around you. I know this means setting aside my wants and needs in order to facilitate the needs of others. Help me, Lord, to be a peacemaker like you.
Growing with God 