WAR

So this is war. All airline flights were cancelled—an unprecedented occurrence. For days I couldn’t leave Georgia. The worst terrorist strike America has ever experienced induces bewilderment, anger, sadness, vulnerability, fear and a host of other emotions.

September 11, 2001 is our new day of infamy. Across the continent my wife explained to our three children the significance of what they observed on television. This is not some historical aberration, some freakish blow in a new millennium. This is not the isolated work of a depraved band of people. This is the calculated fist of evil and freedom is just one of its targets.

Meditation

Revelation 17:14—They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers.

The world does not get safer as man gets smarter. New technologies do not usher in everlasting calm. Stately planes become ferocious missiles. Man may clone, unlock the genetic code and discover new cures for old diseases. He may call for universal gatherings of like-minded people to meditate for peace and create a New World order. But, he cannot eliminate war. He must cry heavenward to receive true help and look beyond what burns to ask what lives.

Many spiritual people will seize in disaster the opportunity to implore for revival—spiritual awakening in a pleasure-soaked land. But without true repentance even if this society returns to a secured rest, God will again be forgotten. I don’t believe America will find her old peace. I believe we are moving into an era now that will be one of great pain and turmoil. Tumultuous days will come. Why? Does not the Bible warn us to expect such events? Until Jesus returns the earth will only get more chaotic.

War is competing ideologies. It is the offspring of pride. War makes a wounded nation wring its heart in sorrow and spawns countless questions. What will grow from our anguish? From the mounds of ash and rubble who will fix our course of trouble? While justice is demanded for a cowardly enemy will we find our Redeemer or feed a hungry hatred?

I pray we will not so fervently embrace patriotism that we miss the gospel. Stars and stripes are wonderful, but our unfurled flag will not bring salvation. Right now listening ears beg for answers. Right now eternal peace can be obtained through Christ! The message we need to proclaim is that Jesus saves! For in the times ahead we will see tragedies that make the horrors of September 11 seem mild.

So this is war. Let us not lose perspective. No jihad will prevail against Jesus. The greatest danger mankind faces is not the threat of terrorists but the rejection of God’s Son. He offered His life in love to save us from our sin. He alone provides eternal security. Jesus warned in Luke 12:4,5—"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you Whom you should fear: Fear Him Who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him." Jesus came to save us from that hell. We best get busy proclaiming Him before round two begins.

Inspiration

The question is on the lips of people today, "Is war of the devil or of God?" It is of neither. It is of men, though both God and the devil are behind it. War is a conflict of wills, either in individuals or in nations. As sure as there is will versus will, there must be punch versus punch.—Oswald Chambers in The Love of God.