 |
| Experience the story: click the image above to listen |
The Daily Devotional
Saturday, January 17, 2026
The Dignity of Peace
“If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” — Romans 12:18
Introduction
On this day in 1893, a pivotal and painful event occurred in the history of Hawaii. Queen Liliʻuokalani, the last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom, was deposed by a group of American businessmen and sugar planters backed by military force. Facing the loss of her throne and the end of her nation’s independence, the Queen faced a terrible choice: call her people to arms and risk a bloody conflict she would likely lose, or surrender her authority under protest to spare the lives of her subjects.
She chose the latter. Despite the injustice she faced, her response was rooted in her deep Christian faith. She refused to let the sun go down on bloodshed, trusting ultimately in a Justice higher than any earthly court.
Reflection
It is a natural human instinct to fight back when we are wronged. When something is taken from us—whether it is our reputation, our position, or our rightful due—our first reaction is often to scorch the earth to get it back. We equate fighting with strength and surrender with weakness.
Consider a scenario in a high-pressure corporate office. Imagine a manager who has worked for years to build a project, only to have a rival colleague maneuver behind the scenes to take over the team and claim the credit. The manager has the "dirt" on this colleague; they could leak emails, start rumors, and burn down the department to ensure the rival fails. It would feel like justice. It would feel like power.
But imagine if that manager instead chooses to hand over the files gracefully, ensuring the team is supported, and walks away with their integrity intact. It looks like a loss on the scoreboard, but it requires a massive reserve of inner strength. This is the lesson Queen Liliʻuokalani offers us. She understood that while she could not control the political machinations of men, she was in full control of her own spirit. She knew that true sovereignty is not just about wearing a crown; it is about ruling one’s own heart. By choosing peace over violence, she preserved the dignity of her people and left a legacy of "aloha" that outlasted the government that replaced her.
Application
We may never face a coup that steals a kingdom, but we will face moments where we are treated unfairly. Today, you might encounter a situation where you are misunderstood, interrupted, or deprived of credit that is yours.
The challenge today is to pause before you retaliate. Ask yourself: "Does fighting this battle serve God’s peace, or just my pride?" sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is to refuse to escalate the conflict. Trust that your worth is not defined by what others take from you, but by who you are in Christ.
Conclusion
Earthly positions and possessions are temporary; they can be seized or lost in a moment. But a spirit of peace and a character forged in grace are things that no one can overthrow. When we choose peace "so far as it depends on us," we testify to a Kingdom that is not of this world.
Prayer
Gracious and Sovereign Lord, we remember today the example of those who have faced injustice with dignity and grace. When I feel the sting of unfairness or the fear of losing what I think is mine, grant me the composure of Your Holy Spirit. Help me to trust in Your ultimate justice rather than my own retaliation. Give me the strength to be a peacemaker in my home, my workplace, and my community, knowing that my true security lies in You alone. Amen.
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment