Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

 ⁵¹  “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth?  I tell you, no, but rather division;

 ⁵²  for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three.

 ⁵³  “They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”  Luke 12:49-53.  (Emphasis added.)

When we first read this Scripture, it may seem rather harsh.  We may tend to think peace is always better than division.  It may help to read about the blessings of division in Scriptures such as Psalm 1. 

Notice the blessing on the righteous who is separated from the wicked in verse 1.  “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!”  Psalm 1:1.

We can also speculate that this separation may help the righteous to focus upon and meditate on the law of the Lord as stated in verses 2 and 3 .  “But his delight is in the law of the LORD,  And in His law he meditates day and night.  He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither;  And in whatever he does, he prospers.”  Psalm 1:2-3. 

Notice the judgment on the wicked who is separated away from the righteous in verse 4.  “The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.”  Psalm 1:4.

Notice again the separation of the wicked away from the righteous in verse 5.  “Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.”  Psalm 1:5.

We read again about the blessing on the righteous and the judgment on the wicked through the separation in verse 6.  “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.”  Psalm 1:6.