Micah 4:3 (NIV): “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.”
I served in the military in some way or another for over 32 years, most as an active duty Army Chaplain. The primary purpose of the military is to fight our nation’s wars. Most of the Army leaders I know and knew did not desire war, but trained for it, and executed it, as required by the civilian leadership of our country.
I personally have completed Airborne training with 80 jumps, Air Assault training and repelling from helicopters, multiple yearlong Army war courses, and served in a combat environment for six tours of duty. I remember when I graduated from the Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania that my peers in my particular classroom played a video of a woman singing “Ain’t Gonna Study War No More.” We were thrilled to be done with that course of study, as necessary as it was.
Today I feel that I am in another war, the culture war. This war is found in the fights dealing with abortion, with sexuality, with racism, with girls sports, and even the wearing of masks. When I read the words of the prophet Micah about turning our “swords into plowshares” I wonder if the verse could also apply to the current divisions of our nation. We have a long way to go in this war. Still, there will come a time that we will not have to engage in these battles because the victory will be won. Of course, as a follower of Jesus, the victory is already won. Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33).
Prayer: Dear God, thank you that in Jesus we already have peace. Yes, we have trouble in our world right now, but You have overcome the world. In the midst of the current culture war, may I relax and have peace in my own life, and share the Author of that peace with the world around me.