Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.

James 3:13-18

Our lives are filled with unlikely settings for introducing God’s peace. We can feel imprisoned by hard feelings, strained relationships, and confining circumstances. But peace has the power to break out anywhere. James has reminded us that the wisdom we receive from above is peaceable, gentle and willing to yield. He also reminds us that the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. Wherever we are in our daily lives, ask the LORD to use us as His peacemakers.

The best peacemakers are those

who know the peace of God.

Our Daily Bread – January 19, 2004