Read: Philippians 4:4-9
Memory Verse: Jeremiah 6:14
They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
I like a piece of pie and I enjoy a big piece of cake, but I want more than a piece of peace. A piece of peace is not peace. In war, it is a temporary cease-fire or stop fighting in one area but not everywhere else or it is giving both sides time to recover their dead and wounded and to resupply and reload for the next battle. It often involves compromises that neither side is happy with and will ultimately lead to more conflict in the future.
A temporary cease-fire is good, but ultimately it needs to lead to a permanent solution. It is good to have a chance to stop fighting and recover from everything if it leads to a permanent solution to your problems. Compromise can be a good thing when both sides willingly give of themselves and find a good middle ground that meets both of their needs.
Have you settled for a temporary cease-fire in one of your relationships? You haven’t solved the problem or resolved your differences. You have pulled back from that person and are avoiding conflict, but there is no peace and you have not resolved the situation. Maybe it is time for you to send an “an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.” (Luke 14:32)
Real peace can only come through communication, forgiveness, and resolution. Read the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:10-15. The only part of the prayer Jesus felt He had to explain was about forgiving. Stop settling for a piece of peace and ask “the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Thessalonians 5:23)
Meditation for the Day: Ask God to show you areas of your life that you have settled for only a piece of peace.
Assignment: Pick one thing that God shows you and draw up a plan of how you are going to resolve it.
For Fun: Cut a piece of cake and sit down to enjoy it while doing your meditation and assignment.