Nahum prophesied that the Messiah would be "the Bearer of good news, announcing peace." He would completely destroy, disgrace, and put the enemy to shame (Na 2:1; 3:6).
Jesus was the Fulfillment of Nahum's prophecy. However, the enemy to be destroyed was not the Ninevites or even the Romans, but Satan (Eph 6:12; 1 Jn 3:8). Jesus destroyed (see Lk 11:22) and disarmed Satan (Col 2:15) by taking on Himself the punishment due us all. He made peace not by shedding the enemy's blood but by shedding His own precious blood on the cross (Col 1:20).
Therefore, we make peace not by exalting ourselves but by denying ourselves (Mt 16:24), not by crucifying the enemy but by taking up our daily cross (Lk 9:23) and being crucified to the world (Gal 6:14).
Jesus' peace is very different from that of the world (Jn 14:27). The world cannot give it, nor can the world take it away. It is a peace "beyond all understanding" (Phil 4:7).
Receive Jesus into the very center of your heart, soul, mind, and body. He is your Peace (Eph 2:14). Let Him fill your heart with His peace, even in difficult circumstances. Then allow His peace to transform not only your life, but the lives of those around you. Be a peacemaker. Blest are the peacemakers (see Mt 5:9).
| PRAYER: | "Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace." |
| PROMISE: | "What profit would a man show if he were to gain the whole world and destroy himself in the process?" –Mt 16:26 |
| PRAISE: | St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, co-patroness of Europe, was raised as a Jew, met Jesus as Messiah, and became a Catholic sister. She was killed in a concentration camp, and offered her sufferings on behalf of her beloved Jewish and Catholic brethren. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College