Psalm 46:8-9

Psalm 46:8-9

He makes wars cease

Why would anyone want to, “Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth”? is God such a wrathful, destructive Being that He must cross the world smashing and breaking and ruining its beauty? This statement needs to be put into context, the only times we read that God brings desolation is upon cities or settlements where  sin and wickedness are so prevalent, that there is no hope  of restoration. Sodom and Gomorrah, Jericho, Caesarea Philippi and Jeroboam’s altar at Tel Dan are good examples in Israel today. Some of these places cannot be found, others are just ruins, never to be reclaimed. These once great settlements are meant to be signs, warning us of the dangers of trifling with God. The wider context are the empires, cultures and other political, man-made structures that have collapsed throughout human history, never to rise again. Where men have been particularly bloodthirsty and brutal, we usually find that their time is short lived, they are removed, and their wickedness comes to an end. A modern example is Adolph Hitler. 

One day there will be universal peace, God has a plan prepared that will put Messiah on the throne of Jerusalem and all peoples will bow to Him. Wars will cease, nations will no longer strive against one another and individuals will get rid of their weapons. This will apply particularly to Israel. Read Isaiah 9:2-7. What hope these promises give us. 

 

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