1 week of peace

Day 7

The Peaceful Approach
2 Kings 9:17

and there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said take a horseman, and send to meet them and let him say, is it peace?

Are you walking and approaching people with peace? In this passage, Jehu was just anointed King but the present king, Joram didn't know. Jehu approaches Joram's kingdom and the guard on duty is instructed to ask if the company that approached came in peace. The question and it's ultimate response puts the offense on guard. Imagine, you're at home it's Sunday evening and the house is winding down - preparing for the work week when suddenly someone pulls into your driveway and parks. No one in the  house is expecting company so you begin to wonder who this stranger is and what they want from you. While Jehu was anointed King it seems Joram would still be in a position to wonder who was approaching and to prepare to protect his household.

My mother sent me a text recently that said, "never go to battle undressed... Pray!" When we are immersed in prayer our battles (be they known or unknown) are the Lords. We can prepare our response in accordance to our opponents approach but a healthy prayer life is the loaded weapon we need to truly prepare for battle.

As Jehu is the defensive end, he was well prepared to defend his army and the army of the lord against a king that practiced idolatry and witchcraft. The servants that were sent to ask of Jehu's presence fell in line with him - immediately converted by the love of God and his appointed servants. This says to me that Jehu's battle was one to restore peace. Had Joram repented of his ways and turned from evil he too could have been spared by the love and peace God has available to all of us.

With this passage I encourage you to think about your position on peace. Are you practicing a lifestyle that encourages a life of peace from others? Meditate and pray on this as we prepare for tomorrows passage Job 22:21.