Wars & Rumours of Wars
Whilst this TFD series will end today the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues.
Very sadly this is in addition to a good number of other wars & conflicts that persist around the globe.
A quick google search on active wars or conflicts in 2022 is a real sobering read!!
Myanmar, Afghanistan, Yemen, Ethiopia, Sudan & Syria to name a few & not forgetting the age-old Israel & Palestine dispute.
Jesus was so on point with His prophecy & warning about wars & rumours of wars (Matthew 24:5-8).
We have to keep looking unto & calling upon the Lord who causes wars to cease.
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:8-10 NKJV
The Psalmist is celebrating the Lord defending the people of Israel & the holy city Jerusalem against an invading army.
God acted on behalf of his people a number of times in this way (e.g. 2 Kings 19).
At other times they suffered defeat & eventually exile due to their idolatry, rebellion & disobedience.
The psalm is not promising God will end every war that ever occurs.
However Scripture as a whole points us to the day when God will bring an end to the warring ways of the nations & humanity.
To the day when all evil will be eliminated from this world forever.
God certainly has the power & authority to end all wars whenever He might want.
That aspect of the psalm holds true.
The exercise of that power & authority has been invested in God’s Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Jesus the Prince of Peace is ruling & reigning over an ever increasing government of peace (Isaiah 9:6-7).
On the day that that government is fully realised on this earth all war will end forever & God’s perfect peace & Shalom will permeate all things.
That is the day that the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of the Lord & His Christ (Revelation 11:15).
The glorious return of Christ as the consummator of God’s kingdom & the judge of all.
In that day Christ will make & put all things right (Revelation 21 & 22).
Until that day we groan with the Spirit at the evil present in our day & persist in prayer & intercession.
We keep looking unto & calling out to the One who will make all things right.
Evil & the evil one will not win the day. Christ has overcome.
Suffering & pain may persist for a time but they will fade in an instant in comparison to the glory revealed at Christ’s return (Romans 8:18-39).
We must not lose heart & we must not forsake our hope.
Keep persevering in prayer, keep holding tight the promises of God, keep close to Christ.
Our prayers make a difference. They are precious to the Lord & contribute to the purposes of God being fulfilled (Revelation 5:8, 8:4).
Keep groaning in prayer – in partnership with the Holy Spirit – for the wars of this world to cease & forever end.
O come, o come Immanuel. Maranatha!! Come Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20).
A song related to this theme:
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank you for Your eternal victory in Christ.
Holy Spirit keep us faithful & persistent in prayer,
Keep us standing spiritually against the evil in our day.
Give us strength & power to keep crying out through intercession,
That we might see Your kingdom increase upon this earth.
This we ask in the mighty Name of Jesus,
Amen.
