Tag: Wars

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May we all have peace!

Reading Time: 2 minutes

”Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever. The wicked will not rule the land of the godly, for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong. O Lord, do good to those who are good, whose hearts are in tune with you. But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O Lord. Take them away with those who do evil. May Israel have peace!“ ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭125‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This Psalm, written by Ezra the scribe, as the people return to Jerusalem after being exiled in Babylon for 70 years. There are quite a few psalms dedicated to this “returning.” What stands out is that the city is a permanent archetype for all times, a perfect example of God’s presence in His most beloved place on earth. The people returning, are returning to God’s hometown.

How are we to interpret and integrate this in modern times? Is God still surrounding His people as the mountains surround Jerusalem? I believe the answer is yes. The book of endings/beginnings says “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.” Rev. 21:1. The chapter just before the last chapter is all about this new city, where “”I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I see these writings in Psalms, written thousands of years ago. Then I see the writings in Revelation, also written a couple thousand years ago, and immediately understand God’s beloved city is a major character in God’s story! Except that Revelation isn’t history itself the FUTURE! Ezra, declaring that Israel, the people of God, in the city of God should have peace and seeing that God brings it full circle, in the very end of time itself – Israel will have peace. The city of Jerusalem will eventually be the perfect picturesque city of peace!

This gives me hope in 2023 as we wrap up the year. This year has certainly come with enormous global conflict and wars, men forcefully, violently taking land and spilling innocent blood, killing human beings to advance their cause, their dominance. This has been a bloody year, and Israel as well as the beloved city of God has been the front page news and headline for 73 days. We are watching history and the future happen simultaneously. May Israel have peace. May the world have peace. Peace on earth, and goodwill towards humanity!

Prayer

Dad,
The waves of violence and wars seem unending. There seems to be a desperate need for justice and peace to replace the insolent deeds of men. Our hope is in you! Our peace, Oh God is knowing that you will make all things right in the end. The final words in Revelation echo our world’s desire for an end of wars, the end of evil perpetrating on innocence. I understand these words so much better now. Jesus said, ”Surely I am coming soon.” And, I agree wholeheartedly with John in saying, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!“

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Listen to the Korahashians.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭8‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The sons of Korah bring this Psalm with specific instructions to sing it in soprano voices. It is about the victory of ​Jehoshaphat celebrated in the valley of Berachah (blessing). This Psalm of victory is a picture of the young king (35yrs old) steering the nation back to God, remembering who really fights and wins the battles.

I love the bold proclamation that is themed throughout the Old Testament-“be still and know that I am God.” It is followed with this truth: God will be honored by every nation and throughout the world! It was true then, it is still true today. God is at work! How helpful is it to be reminded of this? Us in our postmodern era of science, intellectualism and social snobbery. We start believing the cultural nonsense: “if there was a god, he is far off and completely disconnected from us.” We’ve suppressed the reality of spiritual happenings, even denying that we are spiritual beings ourselves.

Who’s wiser, Jehoshaphat and the sons of Korah, who believes, or our modern windbags preaching for us to look within and find our own god-ness? It’s embarrassing that the ancients were more in tune with reality than we are today! The Korahashians were far more reliable than the Kardashians! The ending refrain was sung back in response to these declarations and we would do well to remember it today – “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.” Look up, God is at work among us.

Prayer

Dad,
It is too easy to just look at all the things happening in our world today and to think that we are alone. To believe that no one is in control of the chaos of wars, physical and cultural. But we know better. Those who know you, love you and follow you understand that you are at work redeeming humans. Yes, there is an adversary, the liar, the slanderer. And, there is our own evil pursuits, bent on making our own happiness and purpose outside of your will. Neither of those will succeed. You will be victorious in all pursuits to accomplish your will and we can celebrate that fact! Thank you for being active and working in and through us today.