Peace and the Middle East

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            In today’s world we see violence all around us. Yet we hear false prophets as there were in Elijah’s day saying, “10  † For the very reason that they led my people astray, saying, “Peace!” when there was no peace, and that, as one built a wall, they would cover it with whitewash.” People today desire peace and who can blame them. We have been involved in two wars in the Middle East that have lasted over a decade. People in general have lost interest in the reason we originally went to fight in Afghanistan and Iraq. Now we are anxious for peace at any cost.
            Well the truth is we have accomplished next to nothing for all the blood and treasure we invested in these wars. The terrorists we sought to fight have simply moved on to places like Somalia and northern Africa. Peace is a difficult thing to achieve when our enemies want us dead. No amount of warfare will ever bring the fighting to an end overseas.
            Why is this? It is because our enemies are militant Islamist forces. Their interpretation of their holy book the Koran calls for the death of the infidels. (That’s us) and their thirst for infidel blood will never be satisfied until their last enemy is dead.
            I must tell you that the only way past this war and bloodshed is the witness and testimony of Christians. Christianity is the only religion that that preaches peace to the warring world. Truly many Christians will have to be martyred in this cause. It is only their bloodshed for the peace of the world that will prove to the world that we Christians have given up on our crusading ways, and are willing to give up our lives for peace.
            Peacemaking is hard work. Even if you live through the process you will be vilified and misunderstood by many people. We Christians will be thought foolish and weak because we do not pick up arms and fight as the rest of the world does. Our reward is in heaven. Jesus tells us that peacemakers will be called sons of God.
            Rather than join the throngs of people who preach hatred and division. The Christian is called to speak out for love, peace, and mutual fellowship. At the last day God will not send many New Jerusalem’s so that each party can have its peace without regard for their fellow humans. We will share one Jerusalem. It will be a home for all God’s children regardless of our differences.
            We will be called to love God as one people, and every knee shall bow and every voice confesses that the Lord is God and there is no other. God will rule in peace from the throne. Amen

 †  (10) To the confidence which the people had in their defenses against the Chaldeans, the false prophets contributed the illusion of security by predictions of peace, like men who whitewash a wall rather than allow its defects to be seen.

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