The War to End All Wars
Thank you, Veterans! In the United States, November 11th is your day.
Without you, our federal government could not provide for the common defense or secure the blessings of liberty we currently enjoy. Your service enables me to sit quietly writing this blog! We are truly grateful for you.
The first Veterans Day was celebrated on November 11, 1919. Originally called Armistice Day, it marked the first anniversary of the end of World War I on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour in 1918 and honored the men and women of our military, living and dead, who made the armistice possible.
The war was so violent, widespread, and deadly it was named “The Great War” or “The War to End All Wars.” With tragic irony, 21 years later it was renamed World War I. The “War to End All Wars” became the first in an undetermined number of global conflicts that now threaten nuclear annihilation!
We will always have veterans to honor because war is baked into humanity’s nature. I was reminded of this while visiting the ruins of ancient Jericho in Israel. As we stood on a raised platform above the dig, our guide pointed out below us the remains of a 6,000-year-old guard tower. As I peered over the railing into the excavation where centuries of dirt had been removed to expose the tower, two names popped into my head: Cain and Abel.
Every war borne of jealousy, pride, and disdain for God finds its roots here. Millennia later, humanity’s best efforts to establish lasting global peace have failed. The most obvious recent examples are Hamas’ barbaric October 7th attack on Israel, the defensive war Israel initiated in response, and the growing threat of international involvement against Israel.
How should we as believers in Jesus pray in response to these events? We are encouraged to pray for the peace of Jerusalem as commanded (Psalm 122:6) and that the gospel message will find fertile soil in the hearts of the unsaved on both sides of the conflict. We pray for wisdom for Israel’s leadership, the swift release of the hostages, safety and protection for soldiers, and comfort and aid for the displaced. Yet, if we pray only for these things, we neglect the most important aspect of the conflict – God’s glory.
God’s glory is tied up in the literal fulfillment of His promises to Israel. God is glorified through the earthly physical victory over His enemies (Deuteronomy 32:39–43), those who seek to destroy Israel (Zechariah 2:8) to whom His promises are made.
As we ask God for help and grace on the human level, let us remember to cry out for His glory to be manifest through the destruction of His enemies, those like Hamas who have devoted themselves to evil.
Let us pray as Asaph did in Psalm 83:13-18:
O my God, make them like the whirling dust,
Like chaff before the wind.
Like fire that burns the forest
And like a flame that sets the mountains on fire,
So pursue them with Your tempest
And terrify them with Your storm.
Fill their faces with dishonor,
That they may seek Your name, O Lord.
Let them be ashamed and dismayed forever,
And let them be humiliated and perish,
That they may know that You alone, whose name is the Lord,
Are the Most High over all the earth
Written by Dan, Life in Messiah Board Member
Who can you thank this Veterans Day? What soldiers do you need to pray for?
Will you join us in praying for the current war in Israel? Here are some ideas.
How can you bring God glory today?