Turn Toward Peace
07/13/2026
There are days when it feels like conflict is everywhere. It can be in our homes, at work, online, or even inside our own hearts. We often think peace is something we’ll experience once everyone else changes. But Scripture points us in a different direction. God’s peace isn’t something we simply wait for, it is something we intentionally pursue.
14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. - Psalm 34:13-14 (ESV)
Psalm 34 was written by David after one of the most difficult and unusual moments of his life. He had been running from Saul, fearing for his life, and even pretended to be insane before King Achish to escape. Yet after God delivered him, David didn’t simply celebrate his freedom, he reflected on what it means to live a life that honors the Lord.
Verse 14 begins with a decision: “Turn away from evil and do good.” That’s repentance in everyday life. It’s choosing God’s way when our flesh wants to respond differently. Sometimes turning away from evil isn’t resisting some dramatic temptation. Sometimes it’s refusing to hold on to bitterness, refusing to retaliate with harsh words, or refusing to let pride have the final say.
Then David says something that has always challenged me: “Seek peace and pursue it.”
Notice he doesn’t say, “Wait until peace finds you.”
He says to seek it. Then he raises the intensity even more—pursue it.
The word paints the picture of someone actively chasing after something valuable. Peace isn’t always convenient. Sometimes pursuing peace means being the first to apologize. Sometimes it means choosing silence instead of winning an argument. Sometimes it means extending forgiveness when every emotion tells you not to.
Now, this verse isn’t calling us to become people-pleasers or to compromise truth just to avoid conflict. Biblical peace is never built on pretending sin doesn’t exist. Jesus was full of both grace and truth. Peace comes when truth is spoken in love and relationships are surrendered to God.
The amazing thing is that when we pursue peace with others, we often discover a deeper peace within ourselves. Carrying resentment is exhausting. Living offended is heavy. But when we release those burdens into God’s hands, we make room for His peace to rule our hearts.
Today may present an opportunity to choose your response. You can’t control someone else’s attitude, but you can decide how you’ll represent Christ. Every time you choose kindness over retaliation, humility over pride, or forgiveness over revenge, you’re walking in the footsteps of Jesus.
Peace rarely happens by accident. It is usually the result of someone deciding that honoring God matters more than winning.
Action Steps
* Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any area where you’ve been holding on to anger, resentment, or offense.
* If possible, take one step today toward making peace with someone, whether through a conversation, a phone call, or a sincere prayer.
* Before responding to a difficult situation today, pause and ask, “Will this response bring peace and honor Christ?”
Challenge for the Day
Look for one opportunity today to be a peacemaker instead of simply reacting. Let your words and actions point someone to the peace that only Christ can give.
Prayer
Father, thank You for pursuing peace with us through Jesus Christ. Help me turn away from anything that dishonors You and give me the courage to pursue peace wherever You place me today. Guard my words, soften my heart, and help me reflect the character of Christ in every conversation and every decision. May my life point others to the Prince of Peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
There are days when it feels like conflict is everywhere. It can be in our homes, at work, online, or even inside our own hearts. We often think peace is something we’ll experience once everyone else changes. But Scripture points us in a different direction. God’s peace isn’t something we simply wait for, it is something we intentionally pursue.
14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. - Psalm 34:13-14 (ESV)
Psalm 34 was written by David after one of the most difficult and unusual moments of his life. He had been running from Saul, fearing for his life, and even pretended to be insane before King Achish to escape. Yet after God delivered him, David didn’t simply celebrate his freedom, he reflected on what it means to live a life that honors the Lord.
Verse 14 begins with a decision: “Turn away from evil and do good.” That’s repentance in everyday life. It’s choosing God’s way when our flesh wants to respond differently. Sometimes turning away from evil isn’t resisting some dramatic temptation. Sometimes it’s refusing to hold on to bitterness, refusing to retaliate with harsh words, or refusing to let pride have the final say.
Then David says something that has always challenged me: “Seek peace and pursue it.”
Notice he doesn’t say, “Wait until peace finds you.”
He says to seek it. Then he raises the intensity even more—pursue it.
The word paints the picture of someone actively chasing after something valuable. Peace isn’t always convenient. Sometimes pursuing peace means being the first to apologize. Sometimes it means choosing silence instead of winning an argument. Sometimes it means extending forgiveness when every emotion tells you not to.
Now, this verse isn’t calling us to become people-pleasers or to compromise truth just to avoid conflict. Biblical peace is never built on pretending sin doesn’t exist. Jesus was full of both grace and truth. Peace comes when truth is spoken in love and relationships are surrendered to God.
The amazing thing is that when we pursue peace with others, we often discover a deeper peace within ourselves. Carrying resentment is exhausting. Living offended is heavy. But when we release those burdens into God’s hands, we make room for His peace to rule our hearts.
Today may present an opportunity to choose your response. You can’t control someone else’s attitude, but you can decide how you’ll represent Christ. Every time you choose kindness over retaliation, humility over pride, or forgiveness over revenge, you’re walking in the footsteps of Jesus.
Peace rarely happens by accident. It is usually the result of someone deciding that honoring God matters more than winning.
Action Steps
* Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any area where you’ve been holding on to anger, resentment, or offense.
* If possible, take one step today toward making peace with someone, whether through a conversation, a phone call, or a sincere prayer.
* Before responding to a difficult situation today, pause and ask, “Will this response bring peace and honor Christ?”
Challenge for the Day
Look for one opportunity today to be a peacemaker instead of simply reacting. Let your words and actions point someone to the peace that only Christ can give.
Prayer
Father, thank You for pursuing peace with us through Jesus Christ. Help me turn away from anything that dishonors You and give me the courage to pursue peace wherever You place me today. Guard my words, soften my heart, and help me reflect the character of Christ in every conversation and every decision. May my life point others to the Prince of Peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
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