I remember the way grief hung so heavy the morning after news broke of the deadliest mass shooting in US history in 2016.
This shooting happened just days from the one-year anniversary of yet another shooting: a racially motivated killing at an African-American church in my nation’s south. Have we learned nothing? Will we continue to kill one another? Must communities live in fear?
In such moments, I often feel helpless and need to return again to Scripture’s ancient wisdom to learn from the people who have gone before us. Israel knew much about devastation, violence, and oppression. But they also had a relentless hope in the God who would save them. As believers, we can join Israel’s tear-drenched prayer: “Save us, O Lord our God! Gather us back from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you” (Psalm 106:47).
The prophet Jeremiah assured God’s people that “the time [was] coming” when a righteous king would come to rule—a powerful and good king whose kingdom would extend to every nation (Jeremiah 23:5). This king would “do what is just and right.” When He came, “Judah [would] be saved and Israel [would] live in safety” (Jeremiah 23:5-6).
Jesus has come, and God’s kingdom entered with Him. But this kingdom has not yet arrived in all its fullness, and we still encounter the bitter pain of violence and evil. Until God’s kingdom comes in final victory, we work and we utter prayers like this: We pray for God’s kingdom of peace over violence, God’s kingdom of love over hate, God’s kingdom of hope over despair, and God’s kingdom of friendship over estrangement and isolation. May the kingdom of Jesus Christ rule over every rival kingdom. O God, make Your kingdom come in us. Amen.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 2 Kings 2:13-25
More:
Read Matthew 5:3-10 and consider what it means to be part of Jesus’ kingdom on earth.
Next:
What makes you most desperate for the fullness of God’s kingdom to arrive? Write down your own prayer for God’s kingdom to come—then offer it to Him.
Gary Shultz on April 24, 2017 at 4:44 am
Hi Winn: “Jesus has come” making a giant shift in histories view of where we place our hope and destiny. We can certainly gather strength each day, from God’s grace, from blessings, from friends, but the ways of the natural man will never rest from violence. It is a harvest of a soul who will not open to God’s grace. Cycles of history seem to be repeated from the very beginning. God blesses a people group, a nation, or individual and under God’s kind hand blessing, comfort and peace are found. Over a short passing of time our gaze moves from the author of blessing to pride and self confidence and the trail leads to spiritual failure erasing God’s blessing. So we find ourselves in violence’s grip along with all of the rest of the package sin delivers. By God’s grace and help we can endure in good times and bad because our hope is built in the kingdom of our Lord. The origins built on God’s heart, and the work of Jesus will move us to a place where sin has no place and God’s way will last forever. Thanks Winn
don777 on April 24, 2017 at 5:17 am
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conmeo on April 24, 2017 at 8:05 am
Our Prayer…Lord lift us in Your Grace to be ministers of the reconciliation of the Resurrection of the Cross between and among us all. Amen
sandy229 on April 24, 2017 at 9:56 am
Glorious God, I thank You for qualifying me to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For You have rescued me from the dominion of darkness and brought me into the kingdom of the Son You love, in whom I have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:12-14).
My Father, please help me always know You are near and not to be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, to present my request to You.
If I do, Your peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
You, Lord are my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? You, Lord, are the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid?
When evil advances against me to devour my flesh, when my enemy and my foe attacks me, cause him to stumble and fall. Though an unseen army besiege me, cause my heart not to fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.
Because on thing I ask of, You, Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in Your house all the days of my life, to gaze upon Your beauty and to see You in Your temple (Psalms 27:1-4).
In Jesus name I pray these things, Amen & Amen
Monica Brands on April 24, 2017 at 9:57 am
Thanks for this piece, Winn. It’s so powerful and encouraging that Scripture throughout focuses on God’s heart for justice, and our calling to a part of that work. It would be so easy to sink into despair if we didn’t believe that God’s heart is caught up in the pain of those enduring oppression and violence and that God, in Jesus, is building a Kingdom free of both.
sandy229 on April 24, 2017 at 12:30 pm
What it means to be part of Jesus’ kingdom on earth would be in our relationship with the heavenly Father, we display our family likeness by manifesting the fruit of the Spirit of peace and in doing what is important to Him: making peace, Jesus said, “God blesses those who work for peace,” and He also said, “I must be in my Father’s house” (Luke 2:49). His last will and testament was, “I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart”(John 14:27). He came to bring peace, made peace through the blood of the Cross, and call us to be peacemakers. Peacemaking is the family business we all need to share.
We must have peace before we can become peacemakers. Peace is a sure sign we have accepted our reconciliation with our Father. Peace is the result of a forgiven heart, now filled with Christ’s Spirit. When peace rules in our hearts (Colossians 3:15), we can be peacemakers. Being a peacemaker means becoming the initiator in reconciling conflict between others and us. Our part in the family business is to tear down walls that divide us and constantly work for understanding.
In a world where people and groups are at odds, our calling is to actively seek to resolve conflicts. We can listen to, love, and care for people on both sides without taking sides, for we stand on a third side-on the side of peace. Peacemaking means going into the family business-the business of God’s family. (Amos 3:1-8/John 13:34)
Jesus prioritizes the ministry of human reconciliation in this statement, showing “peacemaking” as the birthright and birth-assignment of God’s sons and daughters. Peace is often hard won. It came at great cost to Jesus, who sacrificed His life that we might have peace (Isaiah 53:5). A peacemaker is willing to give up his perceived “rights” as he pursues a path of seeking and advancing harmony among other individuals, families, and nations, so that they may experience peace through God’s love (Romans 12:18) We can become that kind of peacemaker if we are willing to walk in step with Him and allow the Holy Spirit to empower us and pour the love of god into our hearts ( Matthew 5:5). (1 Corinthians 12:21-26/2 Corinthians 5:18,19)
sandy229 on April 24, 2017 at 12:34 pm
ooopps, that should be love of God, not god.
Magy on April 24, 2017 at 1:11 pm
Just yesterday I was asking God if he would help me understand what his kingdom means. I was stuck in images of castles and moots. So thanks for the timely message. I get it now. His kingdom of peace and love and joy.