Thursday, February 22, 2023

Conflict

When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” Revelation 6:3

At the beginning of this year, the Lord showed me that when conflict arises, I should press into it and get excited about what resolution will come out of it. When conflict is faced properly, it can be the very thing that helps us explore all perspectives to come up with the best possible solution to whatever the issue is.  I don’t experience conflict a lot and quite frankly, I try to avoid it.  I do not like arguments, hurt feelings or putting myself in another’s place to try to understand perspective.  I have not been successful at it yet since having this direction, though thankfully I have not had a lot of opportunities to practice.  I do trust the Holy Spirit and I will endeavor to press in every chance I get.  Hopefully, in time, I will get better at it.

In today’s reading, there is a different kind of conflict and not one that comes out with a better solution.  At least not on the surface.  As we read about the Lamb of God breaking the second seal on the scroll that only He is worthy to open, a new horse and rider are released into the earth.  This rider is on a fiery red horse.  Red often symbolizes bloodshed, war and violence. This special agent is given power to take peace from the world.  The rider is given a great sword, indicating his ability to bring about widespread conflict and bloodshed.  With this rider, war breaks out on every level in the world and great conflict from countries to households.  Although this scene looks grim when reading through the passage, keep in mind that God is the one releasing these elite forces so we can be confident that His ultimate goal is to reach more people before the end comes.  Although the blood shed after the release of the second rider is great, it will also be a time of redemption.  In this time of trouble more will be calling on the name of the Lord to be saved, answering the prayers of God’s people that are still in the world at that time.

This image of conflict and war reminds us as believers to be God’s people of peace in a world of strife that we live in today. These words were recorded when Jesus gave His sermon on the mount: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). In times of hostility, we are called to reflect the peace of God through the power of the Holy Spirit, promoting connection and understanding right in the middle of a world of adversity that we live in.

Today I want to encourage you that even though we are not facing this magnitude of war and conflict that is happening in the passage, we will always have conflicts in life. With conflict, it is important for us to find peace and hope in the love of God and the promise of His eternal kingdom. Join me today in pressing into Him when conflict arises and committing to living this life as peacemakers.  By drawing on the peace of our Savior in every circumstance, and standing firm in our faith as we look forward to the day of His coming.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 6:1-4

1 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” 

2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” 

4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.