THE UPPER ROOM 4 APRIL 2024 DEVOTIONAL, THURSDAY MESSAGE
TOPIC: Peacemakers
TODAY’S READING
Matthew 5:1-12
Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,
and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
2 He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. – Matthew 5:9 (NIV)
TODAY’S MESSAGE
We will all socialize with different groups during our lifetime — family, church members, co-workers, neighbors. When we fellowship with others, we often want them to embrace our opinions and ideas. But this attitude causes a lot of problems and conflict. If we all could develop a sense of openness to hearing others’ points of view and opinions, we would have more peaceful fellowship and dialogue in our world.
As I have grown older, I have come to believe that it is our job as good neighbors to listen to and embrace others as much as possible. Jesus exhorts us to be peacemakers in our interactions and relationships. So let us all try to be peacemakers as much as possible. As Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
TODAY’S PRAYER
God of peace, help us to be better peacemakers in the world. Give us a sense of openness toward the people we meet. We pray as Jesus taught us, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” (Lk. 11:2-4, KJV). Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Today I will remain open to listening to and embracing others.
PRAYER FOCUS
To be a peacemaker in my interactions
The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. The meditations are stories of real people working to live faithfully with the Bible as their touchstone. Every day, readers of The Upper Room around the world read the same story in many different languages and pray the same prayer together.