The Lord Makes Wars to Cease to the End of the Earth, Breaks the Bow, Shatters the Spear, Burns the Shields with Fire

The day after French planes bombed Raqqa in retaliation for the terror attack in Paris, my daily prayer journey through the Psalms again encounters me with intense challenges. Today, Psalms 46 and 76 point in directions contrary to popular and political reactions.

Praying to God who is our refuge, strength and very present help in trouble, before appealing to God for anything, I affirm that I, no we, will not fear through the whole earth should change, the mountains shake in the heart of the sea and tremble with the tumult of waters roaring and foaming. The nations are in an uproar and tottering. (Psalm 46:1-3,6) Surely the recent violence perpetrated on Baghdad, Beirut and Paris feels as though any stability and safety anywhere in the world is threatened. And so we are afraid.

The Psalmist diagnoses this fear as a symptom of not taking refuge in God. I certainly do not expect government policy taking refuge in God, nor do I believe that would be possible or healthy. That is for we who are people of faith in communities of faith to do on behalf of not just our own societies but on behalf of all of the world’s people. By our own fearlessness, we witness to responding in love rather than reacting out of fear.

I have frequently observed that the opposite of fear is not courage but love. And the opposite of love is not hate but fear. Heroes do not inject themselves into danger to demonstrate courage but to protect those they love. As 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” I contend that we almost always make the wrong choice when we react out of fear.

In our world in uproar and tottering, can we – will we – trust the God who makes wars cease to the ends of the earth, break the bow, shatters the spear and burns the shields with fire? Do we know the Lord of Hosts is with us and not presume to take matters into our own hands? (Psalm 46:6,8-9; 76:3) Of course, this is counter-intuitive, counter-cultural and subject to accusations of fatal impracticality even cowardice. That is exactly why it is totally of faith that the God who shall not be moved is in our midst and will help when morning dawns. Political and military strategists cannot embrace such radical faith. Only the community of Jesus’ disciples can witness to this confidence.

I would not presume to advise military or political leaders. I would not even presume to tell my fellow disciples of Jesus what opinions to hold or even how to pray. But I do boldly assert that these Psalms 46 and 76 are appropriate for our prayers in this difficult time. Soak them in and let the Holy Spirit prompt you to pray (Romans 8:26-27). Don’t limit your love to the people of Paris or even of Baghdad and Beirut, but let your prayers pour out love – God’s and your own – for the people of Raqqa, most of whom are hostages of terrorism and not its sympathizers.