Malachi 2:5-6
“My covenant was with [Levi], a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name.  True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips.  He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin.”

Ephesians 2:13-15, 17
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.  For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations…He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.”

Isaiah 54:10
“‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”

Righteous Lord, in Christ you offer a truce to hearts that battle against you.

We surrender our selfish assertion to obey only the commands we understand.  With reverence we submit to the ways you leave unexplained, and we withdraw from the war our natural selves wage against you.

May we accept with gratitude the covenant of peace you freely place before us.  Turn our rebellious fight into reconciliation as we see the beauty of your compassion.

This we ask in the name of Christ Jesus, the binding promise of our saving peace.

Listen to ‘Hymnal’ by Trent