Daily Devotionals
Devotional: 24th of Teves
Pray for shalom in Yerushalayim; may those who love you prosper (Psalms 122:6).
The Scriptures exhort us to pray for the peace of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem). What does this really mean? Should we pray, for example, that the conflict between Jews and Arabs would cease? Such prayers are good, but I believe God is calling us to ask for more. The Hebrew word translated shalom (peace) in the above passage involves sharing a deep unity and commitment to the well-being of another individual or group. Throughout history, we have seen that putting an end to war does not necessarily guarantee lasting peace. Though the conflict may cease, hatred can still exist in the hearts of people. Hostility and violence in the Middle East cannot be stopped by giving back land, nor by any other human effort. There will never be true peace in Israel until the Prince of Peace, Yeshua, returns and transforms hearts. Only when he is ruling and reigning in people's lives will true peace come to Yerushalayim.
God is calling Messianic believers to pray for lasting peace and to work toward it as individuals. It means laying aside prejudice of every kind, loving the Arab people as well as our Jewish brethren, and praying for their salvation. Only then, through the transforming love of Yeshua, will true peace come to Yerushalayim.
...begin to pray for the true peace of Yerushalayim; for the salvation of both Jews and Arabs and the return of Yeshua to Zion!
JB
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