The Violence of War
Isaiah 13:13-16 - Therefore I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the LORD Almighty, in the day of his burning anger. Like a hunted gazelle, like sheep without a shepherd, each will return to his own people, each will flee to his native land. Whoever is captured will be thrust through; all who are caught will fall by the sword. Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses will be looted and their wives ravished.
Are you in the habit of viewing “R” rated movies? If this portion of Scripture was a war movie, it would be rated “R” – for extreme violence. What a brutal and bloody vision of judgment!
We sometimes sanitize the brutality and cruelty of war. But all wars are violent and gruesome. The intent is to destroy an enemy and everything the enemy has. Combat veterans know that war is savage. So is the judgment of God upon his enemies.
God is not some kind of forgetful grandfather in heaven who excuses human sin. Our sins make us enemies of God. Our hearts need to shrink in terror, too. God is not a movie producer. His world is not make-believe like the movies produced for HBO and Showtime. Because of our sin we deserve the harshest judgment of God imaginable.
While we tremble at the fierceness of God’s anger against sin, we also know that God directed his anger for our sins at his Son. All of this terrible judgment was focused on Jesus so that we might be forgiven and stand before him as forgiven and righteous saints.
For those in Christ, there’s no need for fear. Only joy. And courage. You are guaranteed that your sins are filtered through, hidden in, and screened out by the sacrifice of Jesus. When God looks at you, he doesn’t see you; he sees the One who surrounds you. That means your victory is secure.
No make-believe here. How could you not be courageous?
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: Why is it important for Christians to hear this message? Why is it important for non-Christians to hear this message? Why is it important to not dwell on this section of Scripture alone?
PRAYER SUGGESTION: We thank you Lord for convincing us that our sins are forgiven. Keep us in your care and make us courageous and contagious Christians. Trusting in you for forgiveness and eternal life we pray. Amen.