[Tuesday's Devotional] - Inhuman warfare

The recent crisis in Syria, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the tension that exists in many other countries gives us an idea of the inhumanity of warfare today.  We hear talk of "collateral damage", a convenient euphemism for the damage to property or the deaths of non-combatants in a war zone - apparently a term that was first used in the Vietnam War.  

Looking at the data for those killed in Iraq over the last decade, it appears that around 4,800 military deaths have been recorded for the coalition forces (mostly USA service men and women - less than 200 from the UK).  This number is dwarfed by the estimates of more than 120,000 civilians killed in the same period in Iraq - a ratio of 25:1.  Every death is a terrible tragedy for the family who lose a loved one, and the nationality or background of the deceased makes no difference to the grief and loss experienced.

Modern warfare has become more and more depersonalised. We have snipers, unmanned drones, cruise missiles and laser guided bombs - all of which separate those who initiate them from the personal brutality of the result.  In addition, the rise of terrorism results in the innocent being killed and the real enemy can become a distant and abstract concept.

What does the bible say about the evils of warfare?

“You will hear about wars. You will also hear people talking about future wars. Don’t be alarmed. Those things must happen. But the end still isn’t here.  Nation will fight against nation. Kingdom will fight against kingdom. People will go hungry. There will be earthquakes in many places.  All these are the beginning of birth pains.

“Then people will hand you over to be treated badly and killed. All nations will hate you because of me.  At that time, many will turn away from their faith. They will hate each other. They will hand each other over to their enemies.  Many false prophets will appear. They will fool many people.  Because evil will grow, most people’s love will grow cold.  But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.  This good news of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world. It will be a witness to all nations. Then the end will come.  
Matthew 24: 6-14 [NIV]

In reality, we cannot expect that cruelty, anger and warfare will cease.  We can and should continue to pray for each and every situation where people are affected by war - we are commanded to keep the faith and to not allow our "love to grow cold"

Can you have the attitude of a peacemaker?  Will you let love conquer evil in your relationships?  Are you willing to preach the good news?

Lord, make me a channel of your peace.  Keep my love warm, and give me the words with which to preach the good news of Jesus today.  Amen.

Dave MacLellan