Encouragement

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God Offers Us His Peace During Times of War

As I sit down to write this article, it’s been about thirty minutes since the United States began its attack on Iraq. The President spoke earlier tonight to inform the nation that the war was officially starting. Saddam Hussein failed to leave Iraq within the specified time that the United States had given him. Our nation had no other alternative but to proceed with war. Almost all of the television and radio stations preempted their regular programming to focus on the coverage of the war. Today March 19, 2003 marks another date in our nation’s history as we once again go to war to fight for our freedom. It was twelve years ago that we were involved in another war – The Gulf War. That war was no comparison to the Vietnam War, which caused much devastation - both physical and well as emotional, because of its length. We don’t know yet the ramifications that this new war will bestow on us. But regardless of the impact that it leaves, war is always something we want to avoid.
For most children in America this is the first time that they are experiencing a war. Many of these children’s parents are somehow involved in the war. Here in San Antonio we have many military families who are in one way or another being impacted by this war. Our city also feels compassion for all of these soldiers and their families due to our history as a military city. When they are happy, we are happy. But when they are sad, we share in their sorrow.
Americans of all ages and races are now united as one to defend our country. We want to maintain the peace that our forefathers fought so intensely to make this the best country in the world. But there are evil forces around the world that want to stop us from enjoying this freedom. Unfortunately war is the only answer when our nation is threatened so severely.
War’s most negative effect has to be the loss of lives – both innocent lives as well as lives of those like Hussein who are the main targets. White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said tonight “ Americans ought to be prepared for loss of life.” This means that it is expected that some American soldiers will die in this war. Many of these soldiers will never see their wives and children again. It will not be until these children are grown adults that they will fully understand why their fathers sacrificed their lives.
How do we Christians react to war in this time and age? The Bible is full of war stories, but somehow we don’t like to connect our modern world to that period. We feel that we have surpassed those barbaric customs and we shouldn’t have to resort to war in this era. But what hasn’t changed is the human heart. War usually starts inside of us and then it escalates to the level of confrontation. We all go through different types of war daily – whether it’s at home, the work place, at church, or within ourselves. Disagreements, jealousy, envy, the need to control others – these all lead to war on a personal level as well as on an international level.
We Christians need to take this time of world war to pray to God, through His Son Jesus Christ. We need to pray for our Nation, our President, our Cabinet, our Soldiers and their Families, our Allies, all Americans, for Peace, and we need to pray for all the people of the world. We need to set the example to all of those that don’t share our faith and we need to show them that we have a God who is solemn and is with us in every circumstance. This is one of the best opportunities to witness to everyone – from our co-workers to our neighbors.


Evangelist Billy Graham sums it up so eloquently:

Evil is real, and sometimes force is the only way to defeat it. I am convinced, however, that military power alone is not sufficient to turn the tide of hatred and fanaticism that threatens to engulf us. Ultimately we need God's help, and only He can turn back the tide and bring lasting peace to our world. That is why we need to pray. The Bible says, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. ... He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth" (Psalm 46:1,9).

Yes, we should pray for peace, and we also should ask God to give wisdom to our world's leaders. But may this be a time when you seek another kind of peace -- and that is God's peace in your heart. You see, by nature we are all at war -- at war with God, because of sin. But God loves us, and Christ came to end the war and reconcile us to God. The Bible says, "He came and preached peace to you" (Ephesians 2:17).

If you have never done so, confess your sins to God and by faith ask Christ to come into your life. Then trust the future -- including your family -- into His hands. No, I can't guarantee everything will go the way you wish it would. But with Christ in your heart you can face the future with confidence.

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