Perspectives

Isaiah 2:4…. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. (NIV1984)

Can it be possible that someday soon the world sees the end of wars? Is it too much to hope for a day when people will get tired of killing one another? But now we ask ourselves; what has happened to all the memories of the wars of yesterdays? Have we forgotten all the suffering, all the dying? Have we forgotten the pictures of all those beautiful little children whose torn bodies carry the scares of a world filled with hate, a world that somehow has gone mad with hate, and a world that does not know how to settle issues other than through the barrel of a gun? Questions like these cannot be truthfully answered from a human heart that does not know God.

We live in a day and age when all of us see through the eye of Journalist’s lens what happens on the battle fields; in towns, cities, countryside. We have the journalist embedded with troops so that we can see the battles as they happen. Many times what we see pulls at the heart strings. We experience sadness; it is almost as if we where there in the battle. We see and experience death as it happens to our very own men and women in the Canadian Armed forces. We see the pain in the eyes of these young soldiers, sailors, airmen and support people who fight back tears; but they carry on with their duties, believing in their heart of hearts that someday this war will end, and this senseless dying will experience a new age of peace.

It is as though the Holy Spirit is saying, “Peter! I want you to share with all your readers; those who know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and as well as those who do not know Christ as Lord and Saviour. That there is a day coming when we will experience such peace,  no more war, no more dying, no more temptation,  no more sorrow … only pure peace, such peace that your heart will burst out in praise with Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! To God be the glory great things He has done!”

We are reminded in many different ways that most nations are almost totally ignorant of God. However, there is a day coming when that will change. You will hear people say, “come. Let us go worship the Lord. Let us go listen to what the Scriptures teach.” In those days the world as we know it today will be ruled not by guns and bullets, but by Jesus Christ Himself. The Lord Himself will settle international disagreement; all nations will stop making weapons of war. They will spend their time and technology making the things that benefit their peoples; it will be truly a time of peace. Isaiah the prophet said, “Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” I understand this to means that all wars will stop and all military training will be halted.

Can you imagine what it would be like when all countries in the world stop making war?  When we could worship freely the One who saved us from our sins or transgressions? Can you imagine the truth behind what Scripture teaches … that Christ will never remember our sinful past if we acknowledge our sin? That Christ is this very moment preparing a place for us … for those who have accepted Him as Lord and Savoir. We do not want to miss that day, do we? Why not invite Christ to come into your heart right now. It does not matter where you are. You might be sitting in a waiting room, coffee shop, restaurant or an office reading this column. Call a trusted friend who knows Christ and let them know what you are prepared to do.

Would you pray this prayer with me … “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I really want that peace, joy and happiness to fulfill my heart desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honour Your Name.” Amen