Tired of War

Living in the Spirit

Students at a nearby school pay respects at a memorial for the people who were killed, at an entry to Covenant School, Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Six people were killed at the private school and church yesterday by a shooter. (AP Photo/John Amis)

July 6, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Zechariah 9:9-12
Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!
   Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!
Lo, your king comes to you;
   triumphant and victorious is he,
humble and riding on a donkey,
   on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim
   and the warhorse from Jerusalem;
and the battle-bow shall be cut off,
   and he shall command peace to the nations;
his dominion shall be from sea to sea,
   and from the River to the ends of the earth.

As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you,
   I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.
Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope;
   today I declare that I will restore to you double.

The world has always been at war. When I read the final verses of this scripture, the furrowed brow of a beautiful little Ukrainian girl peeking out from among the shambles of a damaged door frame popped into my mind. On the news, I just heard how many Palestinians had been killed the previous day by the Israelis and how many Israelis had been killed in retribution. We in the USA are killing ourselves. According to Forbes, as of July 1, 330 mass shootings have occurred this year, resulting in 21,042 deaths with others injured. We are being controlled by the same idols our ancestors in faith worshipped Greed and Lust for Power. We may not erect statues to worship but our intent is the same. Many of our wars are carried out in the name of God. We try to divide and conquer in the name of God whose Son instructed us in Matthew 11:28-29: ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Prayer: Lord, help us. We are so very tired of war and other killings. Plant in our hearts the ability to love as you love and shield us from bowing to the idols of our day. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.Tired of