Tag: war

May 25, 2024

May 25th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – 2 Samuel 19:1-8

Highlight Verse:

“Now go out there and congratulate your troops, for I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a single one of them will remain here tonight. Then you will be worse off than ever before.””
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭19‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I had lunch yesterday with a man who had served in the Air Force in the early ‘80s.

It was a time not far enough removed from the Vietnam War and the social unrest of the ‘60s and ‘70s.

The political climate in our country at the time did not afford much respect to our military.

He was treated poorly both in the service and when he got out.

It was a demoralizing time to serve.

While today’s members of the armed services are treated with more respect, we can once again see that pendulum swinging toward discouragement.

We would do well to remember that this weekend is not about the start of Summer or an excuse for barbecue.

It is a time to remember those who sacrificed their lives to protect ours; to pay respects to those who won and protected our freedom; and to honor those who continue to do so.

Our flag graces the front of our home this weekend.

Our prayers go out to protect those who are protecting us.

Our respect goes to all who have served.

If that’s you, let me extend a sincere thank you!

What are your plans this weekend?
How will you honor those who gave all for your freedom this weekend?
February 28, 2024

February 28th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Kings 9-11

Highlight Verse:

“But Jehu did not obey the Law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭10‬:‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

This was a tough reading today.

Part of me wants to cheer on Jehu as he clears away any trace of Baal worship.

A bigger part of me is disgusted by all the bloodshed and violence.

Is this guy really doing what God told him to do?

I know that it was a violent time in history that sometimes required violence to make things right. But it seemed like Jehu wasn’t really motivated by zeal for the Lord.

His violence did more to establish his absolute rule than to bring true worship back to Israel.

This was confirmed by verse 31.

I know someone who often cites stories like this to discredit organized religion.

It is true that much violence has been done in the name of religion from the Crusades to witch-hunts.

Despite that, human error does not make God any less true.

The hatred and violence of man does not negate the undying sacrificial love of God.

Have the past injustices of religions ever kept you from Jesus?
How do you respond to someone who cannot get past how religious people have acted?
August 9, 2023

August 9th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“One day news came to David that the Philistines were at Keilah stealing grain from the threshing floors. David asked the Lord, “Should I go and attack them?” “Yes, go and save Keilah,” the Lord told him.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭23‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I could have gone to a military academy when I graduated high school and entered one of the armed services as an officer.

They were recruiting me.

But at that time I didn’t believe in war.

I was short-sighted.

I admit, part of me says that because of the benefits a military career would have given me.

But, mostly, I now believe that sometimes war is necessary and it is a good thing to be well prepared for it.

I won’t argue individual wars or police actions. I try to stay politically neutral here.

I will say it sometimes takes military strength to protect people.

If you could ask the people of Keilah, I’m sure they would agree.

David and his men stepped up against the odds and defeated the Philistines who were raiding Keilah. He prevailed and saved the town.

On a more practical note, you don’t have to be a warrior to protect the oppressed.

You can take a stand against bullies of all ages and types.

You can contribute to organizations that fight for the oppressed.

And you can pray for the oppressed as well.

What will you do to follow the example that David set for us?
Who is it that you can step up and help protect?
February 24, 2023

February 24th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading- Isaiah 22-24

Highlight Verse:

“Priests and laypeople, servants and masters, maids and mistresses, buyers and sellers, lenders and borrowers, bankers and debtors—none will be spared.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭24‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

As I write this, I’m sitting in the Nashville airport watching people go by.

There are business people in suits and vacationers in T-shirts.

Bleary eyed children stumble by and determined travelers power walk to catch their flights.

At a food counter, I stood next to a man and daughter with a middle eastern accent.

A kaleidoscope of hair and skin colors fill the gate seats.

The one thing we have in common is diversity.

The same is even more true in tragedy.

When things fall apart, people must come together.

The context for today’s highlight verse is war. The same principle applies to all tragedies.

How much better would it be if we came together before tragedy struck?

Do you know your neighbors?
Do you have a group of friends who support you and whom you can support?
February 3, 2023

February 3rd, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 13-15

Highlight Verse:

“Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the pride and glory of the Babylonians, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah.”

Isaiah 13:19 NIV

Do you ever go into these readings and think, “Ugh, not more death and destruction.”

Kind of makes you wonder what these prophets were up to.

Their job was to inspire people to follow God more closely through God given words, often offering a bit of God’s higher view or plan.

Here, God wanted to encourage His people to keep following and not give up since their oppressors would fall.

While these prophecies may seen tedious to read, they are part of a bigger picture that set up the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus.

Can you read this while imagining you are part of a nation oppressed by the object of the prophecy?

Would it encourage you?

How would your encouragement of others differ today? (Hopefully you’re not prophesying the doom of nations today).

Tag: war

May 25, 2024

It was a demoralizing time to serve.

We would do well to remember that this weekend is not about the start of Summer or an excuse for barbecue.

If that’s you, let me extend a sincere thank you!

February 28, 2024

A bigger part of me is disgusted by all the bloodshed and violence.

I know someone who often cites stories like this to discredit organized religion.

The hatred and violence of man does not negate the undying sacrificial love of God.

August 9, 2023

I was short-sighted.

On a more practical note, you don’t have to be a warrior to protect the oppressed.

February 24, 2023

The one thing we have in common is diversity.

The same is even more true in tragedy.

When things fall apart, people must come together.

How much better would it be if we came together before tragedy struck?

February 3, 2023

Do you ever go into these readings and think, “Ugh, not more death and destruction.”