We read in Jonah 1:15, “And they lifted Jonah up and threw him out into the sea; and the sea ceased from its raging.” (AFV)
The background to this verse is that a sea-voyage which commenced peacefully, with the hopes of a tranquil journey, was suddenly confronted with a furious and violent storm. As the ship passed through this tempest, those aboard that ship were filled with dread and realized that the storm was unmanageable. Somehow, in the midst of this fierce storm they concluded that someone on that ship was responsible for this crisis. When the mariners cast lots, they discovered that Jonah was the one who was the wrong-doer. They questioned Jonah, and found out that Jonah was disobedient to God’s word to go to Nineveh, and was fleeing from God in the opposite direction to Tarshish. Jonah agreed with the men that the calamity they encountered, was on account of him, and that he was to blame for the crisis they faced.
When Jonah suggested that he be thrown aboard the ship, the men on that ship were hesitant, and did their best to try, and get the ship to safety, so they could save Jonah’s life. As all their efforts failed they had no choice, but to cast Jonah into the sea. No sooner did they do so, that the sea became completely calm and serene. The ship was able to continue its journey with no peril whatsoever. It was evident to all that one man Jonah, was responsible for the huge calamity that came upon the entire ship and everyone on board.
Most of us may know of that one person in our family, work place or even in the church who will be the main cause for trouble and dissension. Many might have had this experience in their place of work. There will be that person who does not fulfill the duties entrusted to him or her, and when the higher official calls them in for clarification, they will come out, and rally together a group around them to justify themselves, and make the superior look a bad person. They will cause confusion at the work place, when there is absolutely no need to do so. So also, in the family there are those who cannot bear the thought of family members being united, and will interfere to cause discord. Then there are those who if they are aware of some serious issue between a husband and wife, will subtly try to turn one against the other. Sadly, even in the church there are those who will even misconstrue the word that is being preached, and make another member feel that the sermon was targeted towards them. This will often result in confusion and division among the members in the congregation.
Blessed are the peace makers
In this message we will analyze ourselves to see if we are instruments of peace, or those who create discord in the places where God has kept us. We should be cautious to never be those who are the cause for any sort of division or disunity in any place. If we have been such, we should repent, and remember that Jesus came into this world to transform us to be those who will be more like Him in every way.
We read in Matthew 5:9, "How blessed are those who make peace, because it is they who will be called God's children!” (ISV)
If we want to have the reputation that we are God’s children, we should make every effort to be at peace, and make peace with everyone. As children of God we will have differences and will certainly have conflict with others. There was no one who could have been a better leader than the Lord Jesus Himself. However, though the disciples of Jesus were just twelve in number, even they had difference of opinion in various matters. They had arguments as to who would be greatest among them, and had differences in many other matters too.
It is good to analyze ourselves to see if we are those who cause discord, or those who bring peace in the situations that we find ourselves in. Differences are bound to come, but as children of God we are called to be peace-makers, whether it is in our families, work place or the church we worship in. Many families are divided, simply because there is one family member who instigates these quarrels and divisions among others in the family. If we are such we should pray and ask God to forgive us, and change us to be those who are peace-makers.
Barnabas was a peace-maker
We read in Acts 9: 26-28, After Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples. But everyone was afraid of him. They wouldn’t believe that he was a disciple. Then Barnabas took an interest in Saul and brought him to the apostles. Barnabas told the apostles how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had spoken to him. Barnabas also told them how boldly Saul had spoken about the one named Jesus in the city of Damascus. Then Saul went throughout Jerusalem with the disciples. He spoke boldly with the power and authority of the Lord. (GW)
In his earlier days Saul was an ardent Pharisee who went about persecuting the church, and those who believed in Jesus. He was so zealous about his Jewish way of life that he was enraged when anyone spoke about Jesus. Saul was all out to destroy the church, persecute the believers, and throw them in prison for their faith in Jesus. Saul was a good man, but one who was unable to accept Jesus as the Saviour.
One day as Saul was on his way to Damascus, the Lord Jesus confronted him. This encounter brought about a major transformation in the life of Saul who understood who Jesus really was. The one who was harassing the disciples of Jesus, himself became an ardent disciple of the Lord Jesus. After his conversion when Saul wanted to be united with the other apostles of Jesus all of whom were fearful of Saul and his intentions. They therefore did not want to be associated with Saul in any way. It was at this point that Barnabas was bold enough to take Saul to the apostles, and described in detail the way Saul met the Lord Jesus, and of his dramatic conversion experience. Barnabas perceived that when Saul joined hands with the apostles, they could accomplish a greater work for the expansion of the kingdom of God. It was only after this introduction that Saul could freely go and mingle with the disciples in Jerusalem, and could preach the word of God boldly. We as the church truly need these peace-makers like Barnabas.
There are many in our world today who are afraid and hesitant like Saul was, and we should be those who can bring peace and calm their fears.
Those who cause strife
On the contrary there are those who cause strife and quarrels. In Proverbs 6:16-19 there are seven things that are considered disgusting to the Lord and one of them is ‘one who sows discord among brothers.’ As we analyze ourselves we should only be those who sow peace and never be those who are the cause for any sort of division or discord.
How do we identify these people who create trouble?
They will blame others to cover their own faults
We read in 1 Kings 18:17-18, When Ahab saw him, he said, “So there you are—the worst troublemaker in Israel!” “I'm not the troublemaker,” Elijah answered. “You are—you and your father. You are disobeying the LORD's commands and worshiping the idols of Baal. (GNB)
In the above mentioned incident King Ahab met with Elijah, who was the prophet of God. Elijah obeyed God implicitly, spoke and did exactly as God commanded him. Whenever, King Ahab did wrong, Elijah was there to expose his faults. This infuriated Ahab so much that when he met Elijah, he called him a troublemaker in Israel. Elijah was prompt to remind King Ahab that he and his father disobeyed God’s command, worshipped the idols of Baal, which made them the real troublemakers for the people of Israel. Ahab had filled the land with idols, and therefore the wrath of God was being poured out on Israel. Instead of accepting the fault was his, Ahab was throwing the blame on Elijah, the prophet of God.
We should ask God to search us so we do not have this spirit of Ahab, which blames others instead of accepting our own faults and failings. Our lives should be channels of peace, and never be those that stir up strife. This kind of attitude if found in us will make us constantly find fault with others. We will also constantly justify ourselves, and never ever accept blame for any of our wrong doings. This is something we should really be wary of.
How do we deal with such people?
We read in Romans 16:17, I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. (ESV)
The word of God clearly instructs us that we should watch out, and avoid those who cause divisions. This does not in any way mean we should hate them, but it implies that we be circumspect of such, and not allow them to create discord and strife among God’s people. We certainly have to be wise in the way we deal with these people.
Jonah was one man who caused much trouble for the ship, and the people on that ship. However, when he was dealt with and cast into the sea, the sea calmed down and the ship could pursue its voyage peacefully. This is true for every place be it a family, work place or church. We must be wise to identify those who are troublemakers, and if we want to accomplish the goal that God has set for us, we must be sure that we avoid them or have them removed from our midst, in order to continue on with the task ahead of us. Let us seek the Lord in prayer, and do everything with His wise counsel.
Saul a man of strife and David the man of peace
We read in 1 Samuel 20:27-31, “On the following day, the day after the New Moon Festival, David's place was still empty, and Saul asked Jonathan, “Why didn't David come to the meal either yesterday or today?” Jonathan answered, “He begged me to let him go to Bethlehem. ‘Please let me go,’ he said, ‘because our family is celebrating the sacrificial feast in town, and my brother ordered me to be there. So then, if you are my friend, let me go and see my relatives.’ That is why he isn't in his place at your table.” Saul became furious with Jonathan and said to him, “How rebellious and faithless your mother was! Now I know you are taking sides with David and are disgracing yourself and that mother of yours! Don't you realize that as long as David is alive, you will never be king of this country? Now go and bring him here—he must die!”” (GNB)
Saul was the king of Israel, and his son was Jonathan. Jonathan and David were the best of friends. King Saul envied David greatly, and plotted to have a feast wherein David too would be invited. Saul had the evil scheme to kill David. However, when David became aware of it, with Jonathan’s knowledge fled from King Saul. When King Saul noticed that David was not present for two consecutive days at the feast, he checked with his son Jonathan as to where David had gone. Jonathan informed his Dad King Saul, that David had gone back home to celebrate a festival.
This seemed like a mundane conversation between father and son, but in King Saul’s heart there were so many troublesome thoughts. He realized that David was becoming strong, that God was with him, and that he would probably be the one next in line to secure King Saul’s throne. King Saul was filled with all these aggravating thoughts and rage that he scolded his son Jonathan in a most disgraceful way. He also let Jonathan know that as long as he was a friend of David, he would never be the heir to the throne which Saul thought rightfully belonged to Jonathan. King Saul outright told Jonathan that he wanted to see David killed, and taken out of the way.
Think about this situation, that Jonathan found himself in. On the one hand he had immense love for his friend David, but on the other hand he also was aware that he would never inherit his father’s throne, as David was chosen by God. If we were in such a situation would we be more loyal to our friend, or be allured by the thought that we could lose the throne that could duly be ours? King Saul did his best to thwart the plans God had for David, but nothing prevailed against David who was God’s anointed.
King Saul tried several times to have David killed, but to no avail. David on the other hand, was completely different. At one time David had the opportunity to get even with King Saul, when he in pursuit of David, entered the same cave where David was hiding. In fact David’s men spurred him on to take revenge on King Saul. David however, refrained from doing so. David did not harm King Saul, because he honored the anointing that God had placed on Saul as King of Israel. No wonder that Jesus too was referred to as the Son of David, for David was a man of peace who maintained peace with King Saul at all cost.
We live in a time when people are so caught up with themselves that most of the problems are caused because they are striving to satisfy our own personal wants and egos. People can plot and scheme against the children of God, but let us be assured that no weapon formed against God’s own will prosper, and no one can hinder God’s plan for our lives.
Let us be those who bring peace in every place and to every relationship. We must be peace-makers in the family, at our work place, and in the church. There will be differences of opinions for sure, but no matter what, we must pursue peace, and do all we can to live at peace with everyone.
May I remind us again of Matthew 5:9, "How blessed are those who make peace, because it is they who will be called God's children! (ISV) Each one of us have many opportunities to either be peace makers or be those who cause discord. May we always be those who will maintain the Spirit of unity, and be those who bring peace wherever we are.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
