Even when things look stable on the outside, humans have wrestled for peace within since the fall. The peace of God is not merely an outward show, but is meant to work from the inside out.

Though he was the great King of Israel, David had to leave the building of God’s house to his son. If we’re paying attention, we begin to look for a man full of God’s rest and peace who will build his house and somehow rule forever.

It wasn’t easy for new followers of Jesus to learn to live in peace together in the first century, and it still isn’t. To anyone tempted to give up, today’s Scripture reminds us that those “for whom Christ died” are worth the discomfort that leads to peace.

God’s people had slipped into merely checking boxes by observing fasting days, but completely missed compassion for those who needed it most. If we want to walk closer with Christ today, sharing in his heart of compassion is a great place to start.

Job’s three best friends got off to a good start by simply being present when he was in his darkest moments. Sadly, that presence soon turned into lengthy speeches full of bad advice that rubbed Job and God the wrong way, as we see in these three snapshots from the story of Job.

As if the dignity of every human were not reason enough, the writer of Hebrews commends hospitality for a strange reason we often overlook. Like Abraham, who welcomed three strangers, we may not know at the time the significance of what we are doing when we show hospitality.

The greatest comfort is found in the power and compassionate presence of God. If we want to be people of compassion, we must first be still and take refuge in him.

The book of Ruth opens with the bitter events of the death of Naomi’s husband and two sons. Ruth’s compassion will not take no for an answer as she pledges loyalty to her suffering mother-in-law.

Scripture knows human nature well. We give when we think others deserve it. The beauty of the mercy of Christ is that it is extended to all of us, not when we were worthy of it, but when we needed it.

David had already been anointed as the future king and had done nothing to deserve being on the run from King Saul. In an opportune moment for revenge, David instead becomes a living example of the uncommon mercy of his Father in heaven.

The apostle Paul wrote these words late in his ministry, under persecution. As the early church was mistreated, God’s mercy was especially put on display as they prayed for their oppressors, outsiders, and fellow Christians alike.

In a time of uncertainty, the prophet Zechariah witnessed a beautiful image of God's mercy. His mercy doesn’t just wash away the dirt; it clothes his children in righteousness and calls them to walk in his ways.

Any doubt of God’s mercy is silenced by the cross. This stunning passage depicts a mocked, suffering Jesus still praying for his enemies and extending mercy to a criminal.

As if the dignity of every human were not reason enough, the writer of Hebrews commends hospitality for a strange reason we often overlook. Like Abraham, who welcomed three strangers, we may not know at the time the significance of what we are doing when we show hospitality.

A concerning trend of partiality threatened the witness of the early church. James argues that welcoming the rich but not the poor is no real hospitality at all.

Harboring resentment often gets in the way of the life we’re called to. When asked about forgiveness, Jesus tells a parable to expose the hypocrisy of any of us who are forgiven much and welcomed by him, only to withhold forgiveness from others.

Calling people from all the earth to himself has always been in God’s plan, and through the work of Jesus Christ, he has broken down “the dividing wall of hostility.” Where once a wall stood, his motley followers are being made into a holy house and invited to live today as the King’s home.

As the years passed since their rescue from captivity in Egypt, the Israelites were tempted to forget what God had done for them and begin mistreating outsiders. Those welcomed by the impartial and just God who loves the sojourner are called to emulate him.

Jesus knows what it is like when waiting hurts. In the wilderness, tested by the devil, he teaches us how the Scriptures become our steadfast companions along the way.

Isaiah 40 shifts from God’s righteous judgment to his great comfort on the way. The incomparable God will give new strength to those who wait on him.