The world really seems no different today than it was in the ancient times. Deals are made with other countries, in the hope of seeking peace among each other. The biggest difference is that today, countries have bigger bombs and we pose a threat among each other. One big bomb and it’s all over with. It also seems that today, people don’t want to get along. They are bold, forceful, and do not want to compromise.

In 2 Samuel 21:1-14, a race called the “Gibeonites” who were not of the people of Israel, and had been put to death when Saul was King, sought after land in Israel, in which they had been promised. David had remembered the promise that the Israelites had made to them – “the people of Israel had sworn to spare them” (v.2).  So, David went to their king and asked them, “What shall I do for you?” (v.3).  They wanted seven sons of Saul to be handed over and killed to preserve peace among each other! And, so David had it done, except that he spared Jonathan’s son who was crippled. “The seven of them perished together” (v.9). The bones of Saul and Jonathan were buried together. “After that, God heeded supplications for the land” (v.14). Prior to this peace agreement, Israel had been in a famine for three years!

I cannot but help to think that peace on earth is God’s plan for us from the beginning. I wonder if we could have peace among nations, would God heed supplications for our land?

Let us pray, Gracious God, we pray that we find a way to bring peace to the earth. Help us to know how to negotiate, compromise, and speak to one another that works for everyone. In your name we pray, Amen.