"The LORD is a Man of War. Jehovah is His Name"

It is getting increasingly difficult to bury your head in the sand. The world is at war; whether officially declared or not. Russia, China, the United States, Israel, Ukraine, Iran ... the drumbeats of war are sounding. The reality of what we're looking at in the world is causing a good amount of fear and anxiety among all peoples. That includes Christians, even though we should all be familiar with this verse in Matthew 24:6: You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place... (Matthew 24:6). 

Throughout history, as portrayed in the Bible, it is clear that war is inevitable when the world is filled with sinful people. And we must not confuse killing with murder. We cannot apply God's command of Thou shalt not kill to the prospect of war. That holy commandment refers to the "intentional, premeditated killing of another person with malice; in other words, murder. We can agree that war is never preferable, but sometimes it is unavoidable in order to protect innocent people, or to uphold a righteous cause. Consider WWII, when Hitler and his evil plan of extermination of the Jews had to be stopped. Or think of our own Civil War, when the evil institution of slavery was only going to come to an end through war. 

If you study the history of those two wars, you will find that years of appeasing and compromise did not stop the evil happening against innocent people. It is calculated that 70-85 million people died in WWII, and a conservative estimate of 650-750,000 Americans died in the Civil War. There is no questioning that war is a terrible thing, and God grieves the loss of life, while He hates the sin that leads to war. But He often uses it to see His will done when men refuse to follow His ways. And obviously, some wars are more "just" than others, but we must acknowledge that war is always the result of sin.

King Solomon, who received God's wisdom [until he sinned by following after his pagan wives' religions], declared that God has created different times and seasons in mankind's existence: There's a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. As Christians we are not to desire war, and as citizens of both the world and the Kingdom of Heaven, we are to represent Jesus, showing His love, and offering Peace as an option to war. Paul reminds us, in Romans 12:18, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all". Sometimes, peace isn't possible. War is part of the reality of living in a fallen world, and evil people make war inescapable, and we must take a stand. 

Yes, Jesus is the Prince of Peace, but He is not a Pacifist and He and the Father were in agreement when King David was sent to war against the Philistines. David declares "Blessed be the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle...". In his youth, David's hands and fingers were trained for the shepherd's hook and the musician's harp. But when he answered the Lord's calling to lead His people, David understood the Lord had a different purpose for him, and was training him for wars in the natural world and battles in the spiritual realms. 

So, when it comes to the subject of War in the Bible, there are a couple of things that I think we must consider. While we know that God never changes, Jesus makes it clear that He and the Father are one (John 10:30), and that He could do nothing by Himself; only what He saw the Father doing (John 5:19). So we can be assured that Jesus's teachings and actions perfectly align with God's unchanging character. And yes, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. But He's also the Lord of Hosts; the commander-in-chief of Heaven's armies. 

Pacifists like to point out that Jesus taught us to "turn the other cheek", and spoke that "Blessed are the Peacemakers" in the Beatitudes (Mark 5). They often cite the Biblical concept of Shalom as the guiding principle of the Lord's pacifism. But to understand Jesus's teachings on peace, it is important to understand that there is a deeper meaning to Shalom than just "peace".  The word comes from the Hebrew root shalem, signifying wholeness, harmony, and restoration -- its meaning extending far beyond the idea of peace as tranquility or the absence of conflict. Again, the restoration part of Shalom is in perfect alignment with God's plan of redemption and reconciliation with sinful mankind through Jesus's payment [on the Cross] for our sins. He broke the power of sin and offered us the way to our personal restoration with God. That is true Shalom! 

But let us not forget that Jesus is also the Lord of Hosts. He didn't promote Shalom by avoiding conflict, but by confronting [and defeating] evil. Take note of His statement, "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34)..  This sword isn't to be used for physical violence, but rather division; causing men to make a choice between sin/evil and justice/righteousness. He backs that first statement up with another: "Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division" (Luke 12:51). Remember, He used a whip to drive the money changers out of the Temple; He overturned their tables; and publicly rebuked them as a den of thieves. 

And as much as many modern-day Christians hope they will be raptured out of the world, and escape the coming wrath and judgment against Evil, we cannot ignore Revelation 19:11-16. Jesus will come as a Warrior-King, leading Heaven's armies in a final battle to destroy Evil and to manifest eternal Shalom ... "With justice He judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is the Word of God". 

So, war is part of the reality of living in a fallen world, and there are times it may be necessary to wage it in order to prevent more atrocities and deeper levels of Evil. We can see in the Old Testament that God would use warriors like Joshua, David, Gideon, and Deborah to act as His instruments to secure His justice and establish peace. He never changes, so we can rest in the knowledge that it may be necessary for Him to raise up warriors in our time to engage in conflict in order to ultimately secure justice and establish peace. That does not mean that every leader who wages war has been appointed by God to do so. The Bible is also full of examples of unrighteous warrior kings who acted for Satan. Jeroboam, Ahab, Manasseh, the King of Tyre come to mind.

In summary, as we face an uncertain future amidst the tensions that come with the beginnings of the prophesied birth pains (see Matthew 24:3-8), we need to come to terms with War in the world. It's inevitable and can be used for God's plan of redemption. It is also a tool of the Enemy, and when unrighteous, must be confronted with righteous force, while pursuing the mercy and peace that pours from God's victory.  As difficult as it is, when we see the wickedness and brutality of war, we need to model Jesus. We need to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44), while standing firm against evil. That portrays the spirit of Jesus and the heart of the Father. May we receive the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to follow their example.

I leave you with these final thoughts: Only God knows when that time or season of His appointment to the Final War will take place. But I cannot dismiss that we may [or will] experience a cataclysmic war on the way to our ultimate Victory against Satan and Evil. I only know that however or whenever war comes, I must remain steadfast in my hope and trust in the Lord. I will proclaim His Greatness, Mercy, Love, Glory, Justice, and Righteousness in all the circumstances that may befall our nation. I am ready to receive His judgment as well as His compassion and to represent Him to foe and friend alike, to the best of my abilities. I will take captive all thoughts of fear and anxiety; any feelings of hate or revenge, and I will endeavor to stay focused on the Holy Spirit [in me] to guide me in the ways of my Deliverer. Lord, let me stand ready to fight, or to lay down my sword -- whatever You command me. Just let Your Goodness and Your Peace cover this world. We are growing weary of the Enemy and his dominance over men's hearts. We long to see You manifest in the earth once more. Come, Lord Jesus, Come! 

I invite you to click on the link to this article, which inspired me as I wrote this blog.

Joel 3:9-10.     Proclaim this among the nations: Consecrate for war; stir up the mighty men. Let all the men of war draw near; let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, "I am a warrior." 
   

The Lord Will Remove The Strongholds Over The Nation! Listen For Your Instructions!

Do you feel it? The heaviness that lies over our nation, as if we are slowly drowning, trying to keep our head above water. We sense that our global enemies are biding their time, waiting for us to implode from oppressive debt, or explode from internally orchestrated tension. Christians are feeling the pressure and praying for God to rescue us. I can only imagine how non-believers are coping. But there is something every man, woman, and child in this country needs to understand ... we were created for this time and sent here to earth to partner with our Creator to defend and uphold the ground we've been given authority over!

Did you know that you existed in Heaven from the foundations of the world? That you were created before the world even existed? And did you know that God determined when He would send you to this earth to a specific place, for a specific purpose, and in a specific time? I know it's kind of a weird thought, but consider that, in a way, we are placeholders, if you will, for the territory we occupy. And we are to hold it until Jesus returns to claim ownership and dominion [authority] of the earth. In other words, we are a symbol or expression of Him, who has the right of possession of the earth because He created it. That's our assignment ... to hold the ground until He comes.

But what do we do when an ancient spiritual Enemy also claims dominion of the earth, and men are only too willing to cede ownership of ground that doesn't actually belong to them? That's a story that is as old as the earth itself and one in which our nation finds itself mired in today. And I can tell you that there is no ground that is more embroiled in that ancient battle than our southern border. Whatever you are hearing on your nightly news doesn't even scratch the surface of what we are experiencing regarding the smuggling of drugs and human trafficking. The violence is too horrific to report and there is a very real concern that the public would panic if they knew the truth. So, again, what do we do about it? We look to the Word for the ways the Lord has fought for His people -- and we pray and declare that the Lord will break demonic strongholds -- and we war in the spirit by anointing the land and applying the blood of Jesus as a boundary to keep out the Enemy and his hordes. 

We exhort our fellow citizens to believe and declare, just as Joshua did before he led the Israelites into the Promised Land ... The Lord our God is even now providing this land as a place of rest and He will give it into our hand. Please join me in praying through the following strategies, as I listen to the Lord encourage us to see Him as our stronghold; our place of safety that is inaccessible by the Enemy. He tells me that we will not be frightened nor will we be dismayed for, as Jehovah Nissi, He goes before us into battle with the enemies of this land. 

Lord, just as You did for the Israelites at the Red Sea, destroy our enemies who seek to overtake this land, and we declare that You will deliver the innocent from the clutches of the Enemy. Dry up the resources that fund the evil ones and rule over them with Your Holy Justice because You are the God of both Heaven and Earth, and all belongs to You!

Lord, You are the Living God, who created this land to be lived under Your dominion and rule. Drive out the lawless and the violent; drive out those who trade in human souls and bodies, and free the captives, Father! Let Your Holy blood, Lord Jesus, redeem the human blood that cries out for justice. Cleanse the land, Father, and set a blood boundary around this country, that will repel the Enemy and turn back the wicked from entering.

Father, You are Jehovah Sabaoth, Commander of the Army of the Lord, who leads the angelic legions in victorious battle so that we might declare, "This land belongs to the Lord Almighty!" Father, stretch out your hand and redeem this land and bring it into the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of God. For You are Jehovah Gibbor Milchamah, the Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord mighty in battle; King of Glory; the Lord of Hosts. You cause us to be part of this generation that seeks Your return. 

Sanctify this land unto Your Holy Name, Jehovah M'Kaddesh, who consecrates and sets us apart for His holy purpose. Likewise, return this land to holiness; set it apart for You!  Show us the ways to partner with You. We do not want to merely cower in the corner, praying for help and safety, but we also know the battle is Yours! You will fight against the principalities and powers and rulers of wickedness on our behalf. But we have a part to play, too! So show us how we are to pray in the spirit; where to tear down the altars in the spirit; where to stand and blow the shofar to summon the Heavenly Host! Give us discernment and wisdom. Lift our spirits to be courageous and bold. Guide us into effective partnership with the angels of Mercy and Might! And it is in the powerful and sovereign name of Jesus Christ, the King and Ruler of the Universe, that we bless this land to be a beacon of hope and light until His glorious return! AMEN!

 Exodus 15:6-7      Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power;  Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. In the greatness of Your majesty You overthrow and annihilate those [adversaries] who rise [in rebellion] against You; You send out Your fury, and it consumes them like chaff.