Broken Arrows
Psalm 46:8-9 (NIV)
Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
I had a work colleague who was tricky to work with. I didn’t say much because I don’t like conflict (although my husband might say otherwise!). After weeks and months of tension, they decided to leave their role.
On their last day, they approached me and every issue they had stored up erupted. Many in the room knew this was unfair. I could feel myself becoming increasingly more irritated and could sense the expectation of others wanting me to verbally return the favour. My brain was going 100 miles an hour collecting evidence for my defence but, as I opened my mouth, I heard myself say, ‘I’m really sorry about your experience, it wasn’t my intention’. (I honestly think it was the Lord!).
As I was sharpening my tools, ready for war, the Lord had other plans. It’s because he’s a God of peace! The ultimate peacemaker! He ‘breaks the bow’, ‘shatters the spear’ and ‘burns the shields.' He destroys the tools we use to tear down. When we invite the Lord into conflict, he is able to make tensions cease, he breaks the tools we want to use for attack, he burns the shield of defensiveness.
Maybe there is an area of tension in your life between a friend, family member, work colleague or, dare I say, someone in CHURCH! Will you invite the Lord into the tension, ask him for wisdom and strategy? This includes any conflict you’ve stopped bringing to him, the one that has been ongoing for years and you have grown comfortable with. He makes wars cease. Trust him today.
The Lord is able to retrieve the weapons of conflict and lead us to calm pastures. Bring your weapon, whether it’s silence, unforgiveness or bitterness and allow him to trade it for peace.
Prayer: Lord teach us how to be peacemakers today. Please break the power of the weapons we have used and have been used against us.