When the World is at War

In a world that seems increasingly chaotic, where headlines scream of violence, tragedy, and conflict, it's natural to ask a simple yet profound question: Why? Why do these things happen? Why does evil seem to prevail? As believers, we often grapple with these questions, especially when the promise of peace in Christ seems at odds with the turmoil around us.

The story of Abram (later known as Abraham) offers a powerful lens through which we can examine our response to a world at war. After receiving God's promise of land and becoming a great nation, Abram found himself surrounded by conflict. For years, he witnessed kings battling each other, alliances forming and breaking, and destruction sweeping across the land he was promised. It's a scenario that feels all too familiar in our modern context.

For fourteen long years, Abram waited as war raged around him. Can you imagine the frustration, the doubt, the temptation to intervene? Yet, in this waiting period, we find a profound lesson. Abram's response wasn't passivity, but active waiting – seeking God, training his men, and preparing for whatever might come.

This mirrors the words of Jeremiah, another figure who faced immense hardship and questioned God's plan. In Lamentations 3:25, we're reminded:

This waiting isn't idle; it's an active pursuit of God's wisdom and timing.

But what happens when the conflict finally touches us personally? For Abram, this moment came when his nephew Lot was captured. Suddenly, the war he had observed from a distance became intimately personal. It's in these moments that our faith is truly tested. Do we react impulsively, or do we draw upon the strength and wisdom we've cultivated in our seasons of waiting?

Abram's response is instructive. He doesn't rush in blindly but leads forth 318 trained men – individuals he had prepared over years of seeming inaction. This preparation allowed him to act decisively and effectively when the moment called for it.

There's a powerful lesson here for us as believers. We're called to be "in the world but not of it," much like Abram was described as a "Hebrew" – one who passes through or crosses over. Our identity isn't rooted in the conflicts of this world, but in our eternal home with God. As 2 Corinthians 5:1-2 reminds us, we're dwelling in temporary tents, longing for our heavenly dwelling.

This perspective doesn't mean we disengage from the world's struggles. Instead, it informs how we engage. We're called to train ourselves in righteousness, to be prepared for whatever challenges we might face. The apostle Paul captures this beautifully in 2 Timothy 2:1-4, urging believers to be "strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus" and to "share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus."

We grow stronger through studying God's Word, through prayer, and through fellowship with other believers. We prepare ourselves not just for earthly battles, but for spiritual warfare that requires discernment, wisdom, and faith.

When Abram finally acted, he did so with strategy and purpose. He divided his forces, pursued the enemy, and ultimately achieved victory. But here's the crucial point – the victory didn't result in Abram settling down and building cities. He remained a sojourner, living in tents, still waiting on the fullness of God's promise.

This serves as a poignant reminder for us today. We may see victories in our personal lives or in society – moments where righteousness seems to prevail or where our prayers are dramatically answered. Yet, we must remember that our ultimate home is not here. We're still on a journey, still living in "tents," so to speak.

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah, which intersects with Abram's tale, further illustrates this point. Even after being rescued, these cities returned to their evil ways. It's a stark reminder that earthly victories, while worth celebrating, are often temporary. Our hope must be anchored in something far more eternal.

As we navigate a world that often seems at war – with itself, with values we hold dear, sometimes even with the very concept of truth – we're called to a delicate balance. We must be prepared to act when necessary, to stand for righteousness and protect the vulnerable. But we must also cultivate the patience and discernment to know when to wait, when to seek God's guidance before rushing into battle.

In all of this, our ultimate source of peace and strength comes not from our own abilities or from favorable circumstances, but from our relationship with God. It's in seeking Him, in training ourselves in godliness, and in maintaining an eternal perspective that we find the resilience to face whatever challenges come our way.

So, as we look at the conflicts raging around us – whether they're global issues splashed across news headlines or personal battles that keep us up at night – let's remember Abram's example. Let's be people who wait actively, who prepare diligently, who act wisely when called upon, but who always remember that our true citizenship is in heaven.

In a world at war, we're called to be peacemakers and light-bearers. We're called to engage with the issues of our day, but to do so with hearts and minds firmly rooted in God's eternal truths. May we find the strength to face each day's challenges, the wisdom to know how to respond, and the peace that comes from knowing our ultimate victory is secure in Christ.