2003-03-18 - War

Exodus 17:16 And he said, 'The Lord has sworn; the Lord will have war against Amalek from generation to generation.

It looks like we are headed for war. I do think there are some practical things we can learn from this time. I never know who reads these devotionals, but I want to say to anyone who may be called to war and reading this that much of the United States support you. The anti-war demonstrations get much of the coverage, but if you have a family member or someone close to you or if you yourself are there, please know that many here support you. I wonder how much coverage the pro-troop rally at Valley Forge got this past Sunday. Valley Forge is where George Washington headquartered during our civil war at the principal part of the war. It is located a few miles from where I live, but I wonder how much coverage such a large rally got around the nation or world.

War is an interesting thing. I have been trying to learn as much as I can about the spiritual life of our troops. The chapel services are said to be doubled in attendance. The chaplains do not carry guns, but each one is assigned a body guard as they travel with the troops. Lastly, I have read and heard many chaplains saying that Bibles are in short supply. That really is encouraging. There really are no atheists in fox holes.

War is also sobering. One of my hobbies for several years has been the study of the English Civil War which took place between 1642-1649. Everyone has to have a hobby, mine is just strange. What I find most interesting is that both sides (The King against the English Parliament) thought they were fighting for the cause of Christ. When they met for battle they would have the place picked out and as the troops gathered they would plan their day of battle and then agree to take the day before (not always, but often) and spend it praying and fasting. It was both sides praying and fasting because they both felt their cause was just and honored Christ. It blows my mind.

What is our lesson with war? It is a hard question. One thing I might suggest is that this is a great opportunity to re-new your walk with Christ by seeking Him in prayer through the Holy Spirit. There are soldiers all around the world who are seeking Christ for the first time because they know that with biological and chemical threats before them, well, their very lives are on the line. We can develop our prayer lives just by praying for them. Any one of us can do a study on what is Biblical war and by doing so we are diving into God's Holy Word. There is much we can do, but prayer is what I would encourage. Prayer moves the hand of God. My central verse on prayer is Psalm 2:8. It says "Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession." I have hopes that this verse is being honored at this time and our prayers to that extent cannot hurt. May God be glorified.

Soli Deo Gloria,
T-

tim@cfdevotionals.org
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