Daily Devotionals

Daily Strength for Daily Needs

Devotional: September 2nd

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." -- 5:6.Grant us Thy peace, down from Thy presence falling, As on the thirsty earth cool night-dews sweet; Grant us Thy peace, to Thy pure paths recalling, From devious ways, our worn and wandering feet.E. SCUDDER.O God, who art Peace everlasting, whose chosen reward is the gift of peace, and who hast taught us that the peacemakers are Thy children, pour Thy sweet peace into our souls, that everything discordant may utterly vanish, and all that makes for peace be sweet to us forever. Amen.GELASIAN SACRAMENTARY, A. D. 492.Have you ever thought seriously of the meaning of that blessing given to the peacemakers? People are always expecting to get peace in heaven; but you know whatever peace they get there will be ready-made. Whatever making of peace "they" can be blest for, must be on the earth here: not the taking of arms against, but the building of nests amidst, its "sea of troubles"[like the halcyons]. Difficult enough, you think? Perhaps so, but I do not see that any of us try. We complain of the want of many things-- we want votes, we want liberty, we want amusement, we want money. Which of us feels or knows that he wants peace?J. RUSKIN.