Sunday, November 5, 2017

The Lord said, “I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake.”         2 Kings 19:34

       For so many years – too many years – newspapers, magazines, and TV screens have shown us images of cities burning, buildings turned to rubble, whole towns turned into ruins.  Some things haven’t changed since the days of the prophets.  Every army, every rebel group, every militia claims God’s favor and protection for their territory.  Poor God.  He is supposed to be on everyone’s side at the same time.  In truth, God is most reliably on the side of peace, and certainly, of life.  
        When the God of the Israelite's saved a city or delivered a people, he did it for his purposes.  It is natural for people to pray for the protection of their cities and countries.  Perhaps God will deliver some places.  But God’s most fervent hope is for peace.  It should be our hope, too.
©Carol Dean Henn, 2017