Daily Devotional for Wednesday, June 28

The Respite and the Routine

“And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites,” (1 Samuel 7:14).

In 1914, during World War 1, there were widespread stories of a truce that came about between German, French and British soldiers on Christmas day. They temporarily set aside their fighting and had a time of peace and some even shared meals and played games together. Though this truce and peace would not last, some tried it again the next year even though many commands had come down that there was to be no peace with the enemy. This time of respite with Israel’s enemies was very much a welcomed time, but it would not last.

Samuel had entered a peaceful time in Israel, and it made his life as judge to be one that became routine, “And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places,” (1 Samuel 7:16). A time of peace can be very much appreciated, especially when the Philistines constantly looked for opportunity to attack them, and such was the case when began to judge Israel (1 Samuel 7:7). God’s word tells us, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men,” (Romans 12:18). Obviously, by reading the word of God and the history of Israel, it is not always possible to live a peaceable life. So, when we do the hard work that helps to bring about a pause in hostilities and we can have routine in our life, it brings about a certain sense of hope for the future.

JUST A THOUGHT: Are you willing to follow the Lord and do what is needed to bring about peace in your life?

Tim Chambers