When Will Peace Extend to All Nations?
Good Morning Friends,
The Fourth of July brings up many themes of patriotism. Today we celebrate 240 years of our United States of America existence and demonstrate a sense of pride in our nation. Some will do so in appropriately and carefully crafted presentations of celebration and pride, while others will participate in what may seem to exalt our nation over and against all other nations in a way that is a bit offensive. Maybe that is why fewer people today than a decade ago claim to be “Proud to be American.” Still on Sunday we had a healthy balance. At the postlude we heard a musical rendition on the organ of variations of the Star Spangled Banner and at the part where one could sing we stood and it felt the right thing to do. But also on Sunday one of the hymns we sang was “This is My Song” and it reminds us that all nations are loved by God and that we as individuals or as a nation do not have any more or less favor in God’s eyes. As the author puts it, it is “a song of peace for lands afar and mine.” Interestingly the familiar and much beloved symphonic piece Finlandia, by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, which is the hymn’s, tune was written in 1899 as a covert protest against the oppressive Russian forces. There are always battles. So this 4th of July I am celebrating in this balance that acknowledges our independence from the tyranny but also our dependence on a God whose love is larger than the geography in which many years ago our forefathers and foremothers gave birth to an idea of religious and political freedoms being guaranteed as a civil right. And that brings me to today’s question. When Will Peace Extend to All Nations?
Scripture: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Matthew 5:9 (NRSV)
He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore; but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.
Micah 4:3-4 (NRSV)
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life, with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there anymore. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Revelation 22:1-5 (NRSV)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
John 14: 27 (NRSV)
In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to boast of my work for God.
Romans 15:17 (NRSV)
Message: There is a real trend today in the world and even here in America for anti-Americanism. Superman has even given up his American citizenship to be a citizen of the world, even though he still believes in truth, justice and the American way. The problem is that being an American is political. Regardless of the motivation there does seem to be an effort to revise history. We are left thirsty for something that will last forever even as we contemplate the end of an age. In the sea change we hunger for a face that is familiar. But I also think that deep down we hope with one accord that there will be a just and equal sharing of the things that the earth affords for the healing of the nations. Such is the picture of heaven. Don’t get me wrong, with all our faults America is still the greatest place on Earth to live. It has great beauty. It has great freedoms. And despite what revisionists may present, it has a Godly heritage. We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven as President Lincoln once said. But instead of being proud to be an American perhaps we ought to be saying, is that I am grateful that I am an American but proud to be a Christian. As Americans we are a privileged lot. We are privileged to disagree, privileged to speak, to worship, to petition, to hope and to dream. We are privileged to share with others the greatest resource in the universe. But friends, Jesus wants everyone to do whatever it takes to reach God and to bring others to the only one who can solve their problems whether they are American our not. No matter how big or small or dysfunctional people may be they all need to know Jesus and the power of His healing, forgiveness and love. Know that the revelation of Jesus is the ongoing revolution conditioning us to be connected to the oneness of Jesus with the Father’s will and moving toward unity with all things in this world under the rule of Christ’s love. Have a happy and safe Fourth of July.
Pray with great respect in our hearts and with thanksgiving for those who continue to make ours the land of the free and the home of the brave. Pray still that we realize there is no peace without justice. Pray we not be tempted to enjoy the fruits of citizenship without tending the tree of liberty. Pray for the land where Jesus walked and for each land where people today walk in His name to free others. Pray we embrace a vision of hope and truth. Pray we experience joy and security and peace right where we live but also around the world. Pray we creatively turn hate into love. Pray we forgive. Pray we always remember to love.
Pray we receive the Holy Spirit and the commission to go out into the world as an agents of forgiveness and a witness of love. Pray we experience Christ’s rule in our lives extending to others. Pray we walk in the ways of justice and peace. Pray that each of us brings something to the table and though different are equal in at least one way, that we are willing to sacrifice our pride in service to God.
Blessings,
Daily Devotionals 