Read Psalm 120:1-7 1In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. 2Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. 3What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? 4A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree! 5Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! 6Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. 7I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!
Psalm 120 kicks off fifteen psalms of ascent – songs sung by pilgrims journeying up to the city of Jerusalem on Mount Zion. This song is very personal. Living among enemies has taken its toll on the psalmist – too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace.
Have you ever wanted peace, but everyone around you only wanted to argue, fuss, and fight? Even on a societal level it can feel like this is the Christian’s place in our culture. This is why Paul tells the believer to live a quiet life, and to live peaceably with all men, IF it is possible. But sometimes others want to make it impossible. What then is the Christian to do?
The Christ in us will always walk in both love and holiness. Tolerance for all and separation from sin. Loving our enemy, but never yoking unequally to our enemy.
To live is Christ is to never stop seeking peace while also crying out for God’s deliverance, a deliverance that has come to us in Christ and will fully come to us when Christ returns.
Prayer. Jesus, you said blessed are the peacemakers. Keep showing me how to seek peace with those who want only war. Amen.
To Live is Christ 