Pursue Peace With All People and Holiness
June 1, 2026
“Hebrews 12: 7, 9-14 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. 14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. ”
Reflection
9th February 2025 God has placed this instruction in my heart today. I am frustrated and tired. I know He will rescue me and yet, I find myself being resentful towards those whom I think are responsible for my plight. The Holy Spirit has been searching my heart and He knows my anxious thoughts. He is certainly revealing the wicked thoughts in me and He is saying, unequivocally, “Pursue peace with all people. Be holy!” I must learn to forgive as Jesus did, against those who persecuted Him. I am one of those, who because of my sinful nature, caused Jesus to die for me, that I may live. Being made His disciple, I am now called to be equally forgiving and patient. (I received similar prompting from the Spirit on 2nd and 9th August 2024). The Holy Spirit is reminding me that the Father’s discipline leads to life. It is for my profit and is part of my sanctification (being made holy). It gives peace and I am being trained for His service. Yes, when I am trained, willing and ready to trust and obey Him, He will establish the work of my hands.
Application
I recognise that people may be unkind to me because that is how the world is. I also recognise that God may allow them to hurt me because He wants to chasten me - to discipline me and to draw me closer to Him. His Word reminds me that all Godly chastening is ultimately for my good. When I surrender to His love, confess my sins and return to the LORD, I shall be sanctified and made holy like Him. I can only enter the presence of God when I am holy. With these lenses, I am no longer bitter with circumstances or people. After all, God is sovereign and uses both circumstances and people to teach me His character. He is loving and kind. He is longsuffering and forbearing. With His love, I can bear all things, believe all things, hope all things and endure all things. (1 Corinthians 13:7)
Dear Lord, forgive me for I have sinned by harbouring thoughts of ill will against those who are persecuting me. Thank you for Your chastening and discipline. Fill me with your Spirit, that I may bear this trial and glorify You as I lean on You. I ask for Your divine power to show love and peace to those who hurt me. They will come to know You in time to come, just as I will come to see You face-to-face, being clothed in Your righteousness. Thank You, Lord, for loving me. In Your name, I pray, Amen.