A Call for Peace This Memorial Day

Even when speaking about Israel itself, God does not ask us to pray for the wars of man but rather the peace of Jerusalem. Unfortunately, many in the political world have conflated supporting our troops with supporting whatever war they want to send them into. Nonsense. True support for our fighting men and women is to want to see them home safely. True Christian support is to seek peace while praying for their safety. Remember:

 

The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion. Psalm 11: 5 (NIV)

 

Hates with a passion! Take a look at all of the Scripture in this one devotional! This is not a subject God takes lightly. Sometimes it appears that we can take it so. We get hooked into the media and think that God only blesses America. Our national bubble mixes with our Christian bubble. But there is a whole other world out there and it is filled with people God also created and wants to see saved:

 

The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 1Peter 3: 9 (NLT)

 

He does not want any to perish beloved. This verse is so often quoted but reflect now that it not only refers to your neighbors and family members. It also refers to your enemies and those who live in other countries. It even refers to the Muslim. No one is beyond the redeeming grace and mercy of God Almighty. No one.

 

Besides the non-believers we also must realize that Christianity exists beyond these shores. It is estimated that there are over 650,000 Christians living in Iraq. In Iran there is a reported 300,000 with 73 registered churches. In Lebanon there are well over 1.5 million. They may not be evangelical but they do believe in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Savior of the world. They count to God beloved. We all count to God.

 

So join me this weekend in a special prayer for peace in this world. I know some will say I am naive but I know the God I serve is bigger than any problem man creates. The God I serve demands that as Christians we make every effort to live at peace with one another. The God I serve is not a king of war; He is the Prince of Peace.

 

 

Reverend Anthony Wade May 26, 2011