Psalm 85:8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.

Centuries ago, the Israelites heard that the LORD would speak peace to them. This saying has a special resonance in these troubled times when conflict seems perpetual in the “Holy Land.” We have seen a number of faithful people who sincerely reach out to the “other side” only to be disappointed again and again. It appears that there are those whose hearts are turned towards the LORD and towards peace, but their attempts to share the land are thwarted by others who can see no way of reconciliation. {This is not totally unlike the Ukrainian war which drags on for another year.}

There are a couple of things that we who are outside the conflict can do in this season of peace. First, we can seek out credible media – written and other – that explain the deep and complex roots of the ongoing hatred. We can then listen with understanding to the deep hurt that underlies these conflicts. Our conviction is that the God of both Palestinians and Israelis who showed himself 2000 years ago wishes to speak peace to His people.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, who was a Jew who lived in Palestine, give us understanding of these difficult issues. Bring peace to all who need it so desperately. Amen.

-Ed Colquhoun