Remembrance
Remembering war, its heroes and its consequences goes back a long, long way. Hoping and wishing that there would be peace goes back just as far.

Have you ever repeatedly asked God for a solution to this? Have you ever chafed at the sight of violence against innocent people day after day and complained that nothing is being done about it? Not even God seems to get involved. Have you ever despaired over how long this is going to go on before something is done?

Over 2500 years ago the prophet Habakkuk asked the same questions. You can read about it in the Old Testament book by his name. In chapter two he makes it clear that prestige (vs. 4 – ego),  pleasure (vs. 5 – selfish motives), possessions (v. 5 – greed) and power (vs. 5 – zeal to conquer) were among the motives that drove the Babylonians to conquer others. Has anything changed? Are not these same four things that become society’s downfall today if they are the priority? There is a limited place in life for all four but if one or more of them become the most important pursuit in life instead of love for God and love for people we are headed for deep trouble.

So what is God’s answer to why He doesn’t intervene? Some day He will mete out justice but right now He is patiently waiting for people to respond to His love.

Keeping on the sunny side,
Henry Wiebe